By Adam Bleakley (Foundation Doctor, NHS Lothian) and Evan Jenkins (Medical Student, University of Edinburgh) Physical activity is regarded as a global public health priority (Kohl, 2012), and physical inactivity the biggest public health problem of the 21st century (Blair, 2009). Physical inactivity and sedentariness, “silent killers”, are associated with increased morbidity and reduced life expectancy […]
Tag: sedentary behaviour
#WeActiveChallenge: the WeCommunities launch fun, interactive social media campaign to promote activity
By Naomi McVey @NaomiMcVey The case for increasing physical activity among the global population is compelling, but achieving this is far more complex. Despite comprehensive guidance from national and international organisations[1][2][3][4], and increasing emphasis on supporting the health of the NHS workforce[5][6][7], the reality of knowing how and where to start, and fitting exercise into […]
An unlikely candidate, a year as Professor of Physical Activity for Health
By Prof Chris Oliver After losing over 12 stone in weight, cycling across America, becoming a cycle campaigner, writing some policy on active travel and starting a few physical activity projects I became honorary professor physical activity for health at the University of Edinburgh. The “Sit Less, Walk More” message had finally come home to […]
“These booties are made for walking” Active Movement – Innovation in combatting children’s inactivity and obesity
Sport and Exercise Medicine: The UK trainee perspective – A BJSM blog series By Dr Farrah Jawad Active Movement is an initiative that focuses on simple behaviour changes to empower people to sit less and move more. Their aim is to: (i) integrate low level activity into our daily lives, (ii) make movement accessible for all, without […]
The sedentary office: the need for more pragmatic guidelines
Letter to the Editor by: Dr Kelly Mackenzie, Specialty Registrar in Public Health / Academic Public Health Fellow In response to: JP Buckley & A Hedge et al (2015). The sedentary office: a growing case for change towards better health and productivity. We welcome the development of quantifiable targets relating to workplace sedentary. However, given the low quality […]
The delegate view of 6th London School of SEM Conference– What lessons were learnt?
Undergraduate perspective on Sports & Exercise Medicine – a BJSM blog series By Jonathan Shurlock (@J_Shurlock) Reading the recent BJSM blog on the 6th annual London Deanery Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) Conference written by the event organisers, inspired me to give the delegate view of the important lessons learnt by those in attendance, and add […]
Stand and Deliver: Behaviour change implementation for #ActiveWorking
Undergraduate perspective on Sports & Exercise Medicine – a BJSM blog series By Rory Heath (@roryjheath) Part 2 of a 2-part series The first part this series reminded us that inactivity in the workplace is bad for your health – as bad as smoking. Sedentary behaviour also reduces workplace productivity; employees report more fatigue and restlessness, […]
Sitting Ducks – Sedentary Behaviour and its Health Risks: Part One of a Two Part Series
Undergraduate perspective on Sports & Exercise Medicine – a BJSM blog series By Rory Heath (@Roryjheath) The recent Inaugural Active Working Summit, January 8th, 2015, brought together representatives from healthcare, scientific research and commercial organisations with an aim to promote wellness at work. At BJSM, we’ve covered the benefits of exercise on the brain before and […]
The challenges of health communication in a modern world of entertainment
Sport and Exercise Medicine: The UK trainee perspective (A twice-monthly series on the BJSM blog) By Dr Wilby Williamson Preaching about physical activity and demanding compliance with 150 minutes of activity per week, as I do with my friends and family, often falls on deaf ears. Changing tack to discuss differences between London’s bus drivers and […]
Has ‘sedentarism’ — excessive sitting — crossed over to join the conditions that the public is aware of? The new obesity?
The health problems of office workers who ‘sit too much’ is getting increasing attention not only in medical journals but now also in popular media. See: Owen N, Baumen, AE, and Brown, W. 2009. Too much sitting: a novel and important predictor of chronic disease risk? BJSM;43:81-83. Brown, WJ, Bauman, AE, and Owen N. Stand […]