New research published in the Lancet Public Health Journal shows that England has experienced the largest decline in life expectancy improvement across the whole of Europe with physical inactivity being a significant contributing factor.
Commenting on the research, Tara Dillon, CEO of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) said, “The fact that England, followed by Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales has seen the biggest decline in improvement to life expectancy illustrates why getting our nation to be more physically active is now absolutely critical.
This new research shows improvements to life expectancy have slowed across several European countries but the fact that the countries seeing the biggest falls are all in the UK should be raising alarm bells with policymakers and the public.
When we look at what is impacting the rate at which life expectancy is improving, it is undoubtedly largely attributed to preventable health conditions in which lifestyle and crucially physical inactivity are a huge contributing factor.
For example, levels of cardiovascular disease are directly impacting life expectancy improvements with heart disease deaths in the under 75’s rising to their highest rate in 14 years. Yet we know that participation in regular physical activity can reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by up to 35%.
Levels of obesity are also a fundamental driver impacting life expectancy improvement. Over a quarter of our adult population are living with obesity and the health impacts it presents such as an increased risk of diabetes and certain cancers. Physical activity is critical to reducing levels of obesity and the risks of the health conditions that it can lead to.
Recognised, skilled sport and physical activity professionals are the key to engaging people in sustainable physical activity which helps them to adapt their lifestyle and reduce the likelihood of health conditions which will impact life expectancy. Practitioners with an appropriate professional status can use a sector-defined specialist skillset effectively with participants who may have specific needs from a sport and physical activity professional such as those in inactive populations and people with long-term health conditions.”
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