Welsh Government
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Welsh Assembly Government sets out plans to create an active Wales

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones yesterday 5 May 2009 set out Welsh Assembly Government plans to encourage people to become more active and incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.

In a bid to improve people’s health and combat obesity, the Welsh Assembly Government is challenging everyone to lead more active lives because regular physical activity is proven to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

As part of the challenge, the Assembly Government has worked with key stakeholders and partners to develop an action plan and is inviting the people Wales to give their views on the priorities for the next five years.

The action plan focuses on four strategic aims; to develop a physical environment that makes it easier for people to choose to be more physically active; to support children and young people to live active lives, and become active adults; to encourage more adults to be more active, more often throughout life and to increase participation in sport, by all sectors of the population.

The Minister will visit Cardiff Council’s offices to see how the council is encouraging its staff to become more active and incorporate physical activity into their daily routine.  

Cardiff Council is promoting active travel, as part of its ongoing travel planning programme, which aims to reduce single occupancy vehicle use and support the use of alternative modes of travel, along with the health and environmental benefits associated with these.

The Council provides pool bikes for employees to use to travel to meetings and for leisure cycling, so that they can incorporate exercise into their daily routines.  Cycle training, travel information packs and step counters are also provided.  New facilities such as secure cycle parking, lockers and changing rooms have been developed with the help of funding from the Sports Council for Wales.  Employees can also take advantage of a salary sacrifice scheme to buy bikes at a reduced cost.

Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, a keen cyclist and chair of Nantlle Vale Football Club in Gwynedd, said:

“The Assembly Government wants to support the Welsh population to be more physically active on a daily basis because of the health, social and economic benefits that exercise provides.

“In order to give that support, we need to find even more effective ways for different organisations across the public, private and Third Sector to work together and to better educate and engage individuals in sport, physical activity and active recreation.   We have developed a physical activity action plan, called ‘Creating an Active Wales’, with the help of a wide range of organisations and we are now launching a consultation to ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute their own ideas.”

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell said:  

“Low levels of physical activity along with unhealthy eating patterns are leading to increases in obesity and ill-health.  The most recent Welsh Health Survey shows that more than half of Welsh men and women are classified as overweight or obese.  We need to take action to tackle these problems and this action plan will help to provide a menu of opportunities for people to become more active.”

Related Links

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/healthsocialcare/active/?lang=en

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