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Exercise

Improving health through regular activity

Physical activity offers many benefits to health and well-being including:

Reduced risk of heart disease or stroke Prevention or control of conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and raised cholesterol Control of body fat and the maintenance of a healthy weight Release from stress and depression Improved mobility, flexibility and posture Increased strength and stronger bones Social interaction and general mental well-being

Current guidelines indicate that we should do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least 5 days a week for good health and to maintain quality of life.

Children and young people should aim to be moderately active for one hour every day and participate twice a week in more vigorous activities. Enhance and maintain muscular strength and flexibility and bone health (weight bearing activities such as skipping, jumping, climbing, running).

These targets do not have to be done all at once, it can be built up throughout the day in smaller bouts of 15 minutes of activity. Moderate physical activity includes any activity that increases your breathing rate, and makes you feel warmer.

You do not need to work so hard that you are unable to talk and exercise at the same time. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or an exercise class.

It can be achieved by fitting physical activity into your daily routine by walking or cycling to work or walking the dog on a regular basis.

The best type of physical activity is one that you enjoy doing, because you are more likely to keep it up.

Alive 'n' Kicking 'Alive 'n' Kicking' is a free 12–week programme designed to motivate and educate families who want to eat healthily and enjoy more active lifestyles. It is brought to you by NHS Hounslow who are working closely with London Borough of Hounslow to tackle child obesity. Weekly workshops involving groups of parents and their children of similar ages will discuss weight management, nutrition and healthy eating. Those that sign up can try out a number of different activities and cooking workshops. Older teenagers will also benefit from one-to-one programmes. For more information click here


Local Information / links

Exercise Referral – Info from David Ollington – 0845 4562846

Staying Active Directory http://www.stayactive.org.uk/directory.aspx Up to date information on clubs and organisations providing social and leisure activities all over the Borough of Hounslow.


Leisure centres http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/ index/leisure_and_culture/sports_centres.htm

Hounslow Parks http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/ leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces.htm

Walking routes in Hounslow http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/ leisure_and_culture/walks.htm

Healthy travel http://www.hounslow.gov.uk/index/ transport_and_streets/sustainable_travel.htm

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Email: communications.team@hounslowpct.nhs.uk. Copyright HPCT 2008

Your Health

News

Exercise

Improving health through regular activity