Govt may promote more physical activity

WELLINGTON: The Government is looking at having more than half of children walking, cycling or scooting to school by 2030.

The proposal is part of New Zealand’s response to a World Health Organisation global action plan to increase the number of people who are regularly physically active by 15% by 2030.

Documents prepared by the Ministry of Health show these could include having 60% of school children participating in what it calls ‘‘active transport’’ in journeys to and from school by 2030.

Adults could be encouraged to increase their physical activity by 15% from a 2015 baseline by 2030. The plan could also aim to increase physical activity among Maori, Pacific and Asian populations.

A 2010 survey commissioned by regional councils estimated physical inactivity cost the country $1.3 billion that year.

Regular physical activity among adults has declined in the past decade, dropping from 52% in 200607 to 50% in 201617.

At the same time the percentage of adults who do no or little physical activity has increased from 10% in 200607 to 13.4% in 201617.

The ministry said regular physical activity in children developed lifelong physical, social and emotional abilities, resilience and creativity.

It is also important for healthy weight gain, mental health, behaviour, improved movement, competence and decisionmaking skills and brain development.

The ministry and Sport NZ are working with other agencies to develop a crossagency approach to increasing physical activity and a New Zealand response to WHO’s plan.

Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter declined to comment.

The ministry said no formal goals, timeframes, budgets or measurements have been developed at this point. — RNZ