Physical inactivity and lack of outdoor exercise 'is not a disease'
12/08/2010 Many Brits are guilty of not spending enough time exercising outdoors or taking part in energetic outdoor play activities with their kids.
An article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine recently suggested that physical inactivity should be "considered for recognition as a disease in its own right" due to the negative health consequences it produces.
This is a point contested by Sue Baic, a lecturer in nutrition and public health at University of Bristol, who said that in many cases physical inactivity is a choice and not a disease.
Ms Baic said: "I suppose that's like saying that smoking is a disease."
She added: "I think there needs to be more attention drawn to the fact that it's a risk factor because some people don't realise that physical inactivity is so important."
Figures from the NHS show that in the year 2008 around a quarter of the adult population in the UK was classified as obese.
Almost 17 per cent of boys between the ages of two and 15 were obese, as were 15.2 per cent of girls.
An article published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine recently suggested that physical inactivity should be "considered for recognition as a disease in its own right" due to the negative health consequences it produces.
This is a point contested by Sue Baic, a lecturer in nutrition and public health at University of Bristol, who said that in many cases physical inactivity is a choice and not a disease.
Ms Baic said: "I suppose that's like saying that smoking is a disease."
She added: "I think there needs to be more attention drawn to the fact that it's a risk factor because some people don't realise that physical inactivity is so important."
Figures from the NHS show that in the year 2008 around a quarter of the adult population in the UK was classified as obese.
Almost 17 per cent of boys between the ages of two and 15 were obese, as were 15.2 per cent of girls.
