NICE calls on local governments to promote physical activity

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has called on local governments to follow new recommendations that would help them combat physical inactivity in their communities and save money over time.

A recent report from ukactive has raised concerns that in certain parts of the country rates of physical inactivity have reached "pandemic" levels, with up to 40 per cent of the adult population in some regions classed as inactive.

The analysis also revealed that English local authorities spent on average just two per cent of public health budgets on physical activity promotion and investment in 2012.

As such, NICE called on councils to prioritise physical activity services at the same level as other public health risks by ensuring local networks of paths for walking and cycling are established, while active travel to schools, colleges and workplaces should be promoted and green spaces and play areas provided for children.

Meanwhile, for built environments, new developments should be designed to encourage physical activity, with stair use encouraged through clear signage and stairwells that are well lit and decorated.

Professor Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at NICE, said: "They are practical, cost-effective measures that will not only improve the health and wellbeing of communities, but lead to cost savings in the long term."