STRATEGIC ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER

August 2004

Building a Movement: The Role of Physical Activity
Two of the major components of chronic disease prevention are regular physical activity and a healthy diet. According to the World Health Organization, half of the global burden of disease risk factors identified in 2002 -- including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity -- are directly related to physical activity and diet. Yet despite their complementary nature, nutrition typically receives far more attention from public health than physical activity does and the two fields often remain divergent. Strategic Alliance, however, formed on the basis that creating healthy environments and behaviors requires the combined wisdom of both physical activity and nutrition.

Building a Movement: The Role of Physical Activity, continued
Physical activity has clear implications for health and wellbeing -- from reducing the risks of heart disease, certain cancers and stroke to reducing stress and depression. There are also clear social and economic benefits to be gained in a society that values physical activity, including reduced healthcare costs, increased worker productivity, building community cohesion through shared recreational opportunities, reducing urban traffic congestion and increasing air quality. For example, physically inactive individuals over age 15 incur $330 more in annual direct medical costs than those who are physically active.

Both physical activity and good nutrition are keys to preventing chronic disease and improving healthy environments and linking them together will make the overall movement that much stronger. In order to make regular activity and healthy eating a realistic option for all Californians, we need to combine efforts to make policy and decision makers understand that it cannot be one or the other. YOU can take an active part by encouraging your colleagues, be they nutrition or physical activity related to join the Strategic Alliance. Invite them to visit http://www.eatbettermovemore.org/member.html.