Getting the City on the move
Exciting plans to boost the health of Sheffield’s residents
by encouraging them to be more active have been backed by
Sheffield First for Health.
The City on the Move strategy aims to get people to increase
the amount of physical activity they do, especially activities
which raise the heart rate such as gardening, dancing and
walking.
Andy Buck, Co-Chair of Sheffield First for Health, said:
“A healthy city means a happy and prosperous city which
is why it is so important that we increase people’s activity
levels.”
Evidence shows doing just half an hour (one hour for children)
of moderate physical activity five days a week:
• Reduces risk of heart disease by 50%
• Reduces risk of colon cancer by 50%
• Reduces risk of becoming obese by 50%
• Prolongs life – a ten per cent weight loss can add five
years to the life expectancy of an obese person.
Being physically active also has other benefits such as
reducing feelings of anxiety and increasing self esteem.
Currently only 35% of Sheffield residents do enough activity
to benefit their health. A recent survey found half the
city’s adult population is overweight and one in six adults
are obese, costing the NHS in Sheffield
£25m every year.
The City on the Move strategy, currently out for consultation
sets out plans to help people to get active which include:
• Encouraging more physical activity in schools
• Promote everyday walking
• Improving access to sports facilities and gyms
• Encouraging employers to improve activity in the workplace
• Raising awareness of the health benefits of activity among
GPs
july 2004
October 02, 2006 
