How much activity do we need in order to stay fit and ward off diseases? Well, it’s a heck of a lot more activity than we are getting right now.
The majority of Canadians are inactive and sedentary most of the time.
Only 15 per cent of the adult population meets the Canadian Physical Activity Guideline of at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. Among Canadian adults, approximately two-thirds of men (62 per cent) and almost half of women (45 per cent) are classified as overweight or obese, a weight associated with increased health risks.
So, how did we get here? Well, take your pick - our busy life, the extent and convenience of technology that encourages prolonged sitting, the way our neighbourhoods are built with everything far from reach, forcing our dependency on the car, are among some factors that have made this happen.
We can’t even use the excuse that we don’t know what is good for us! More information on better health is available to us at our fingertips more than ever before. We talk about health more than anything else, and at every turn, there seems to be someone with the best antidote for our sedentary lifestyle.
Our health is begging for our attention, but it seems that we have chosen to lend it a deaf ear.
The truth of the matter is that we confront endless barriers to getting the amount of activity we need, some because of the choices we make, and some due to decisions that are made for us.
That often leaves us in quite the predicament. Living and working in the same community was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I saved money and energy, wasted less time in traffic and gained more time doing the things I like to do with family and friends. I was lucky that I had the opportunity to make that change in my life.
However, I would have liked to be able to walk or bike to places from my home and get more physical activity doing things that I do on a regular basis, such as getting to work. Unfortunately, this has not been possible as there are not a lot of destinations I can walk or bike to easily. To make matters worse, I have to walk about half an hour just to get to a bus-stop. I am able-bodied, but I can imagine how difficult it might be for those living in my neighbourhood who have mobility issues, or are unable to drive a car, to get to places.
Last month, I had the opportunity to organize an event where many community leaders were invited to share their insights on how we can “bring health home” to Delta. Many themes emerged, including “Complete Communities.”
Complete communities is a concept that is gaining more attention because of the growing epidemic of chronic disease, due mostly to our sedentary lifestyles.
Complete communities exist where people do not have to travel far to meet their day-to-day needs, making it possible to walk, bike and use high-quality public transit. These communities include a mix of housing types (including affordable housing options), local jobs, access to services, parks, public spaces, and commercial districts.
This way of designing communities levels the playing field for everyone including seniors, youth, people with disabilities, and low-income families so they can live and move easily, even if they are unable to
drive or cannot afford a car. It also means individuals, and families, are not forced to choose between long commutes by car and even longer commutes by transit. In addition to environmental benefits, they provide health benefits from greater walking and cycling.
It saddens me that activities like biking and walking are not part of my and my child’s life the way it used to be when I was growing up. Instead, it is treated more like an organized sport.
I greatly admire the efforts of various municipalities that are considering their community’s built environment, and the influence it has on the physical and mental health of its residents. Many municipalities continue to make efforts to make it easier for their residents to make healthier choices, such as moving around in their city by enhancing walking and biking pathways.
These efforts are supported by engaged citizen groups that bring forth the voices of many who want to make active transportation (walking, biking and public transport) a priority. They do this by raising awareness about the benefits of walking and biking, and also advocating for better infrastructure for us to do so.
Biking is a great way of adding some physical activity and gearing up for better health. Bike to School and Work Week is almost here so let’s get started!
From May 25 – 31, I urge you to bike and walk to more places within your community. I also encourage you to join others in making a difference in the way our communities are being built. We have a responsibility to lead the way for better health for ourselves, our families and for the many generations to come.
Here are some resources to help support physical activity:
Trails & Cycling: http://www.delta.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails/trails-cycling
Engineering: Roads/Boulevards/Walkways Service Maintenance - http://www.delta.ca/services/report-a-problem
Delta Cycling Hub - a citizens group working with the community to make key improvements to the local road network, so that cycling is a safe and efficient option for residents, commuters, and visitors alike. Contact Patrick Thompson- [email protected] to get involved.
Walking Groups: http://www.heartandstroke.bc.ca/site/pp.aspx?c=kpIPKXOyFmG&b=7987007&printmode=1
Bike to Work week: http://www.biketowork.ca
Sepia Sharma lives and works in Delta and feels passionate about the role vibrant and inclusive communities play in enhancing community health. She has over 20 years of experience in community development and is currently working as a community health specialist with Fraser Health.
