Doctors call for Government to take action over physical activity
TACKLING deprivation would do more to improve levels of physical activity than advice from GPs, according to doctor s’ leaders.
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland backed calls to tackle inactivity, but said there were limits to what could be achieved in consultations with patients.
The warning came after a report said patients should be told that physical inactivity carried health risks equivalent to those from drinking or smoking, and urged GPs to ask discuss the risks with those visiting surgeries.
The doctors’ organisation said the Scottish Government could play a bigger role and should take “genuine action” to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of Scots.
Dr Sally Winning, deputy chair of BMA Scotland, said: “Doctors have a role to play in supporting patients and talking about the dangers of physical inactivity but there is a limit to what they can do to change people’s behaviour. It is crucial that we take the opportunity to reduce levels of inactivity, and the host of illnesses that come with them.”
Early education should encourage children eat healthily and give them the skills to do so, she said. Young children should also learn the value of exercise.
However the factors influencing how active children are are wide ranging and largely beyond the control of GPs, Dr Winning said.
“Inequalities have a profound influence on health in Scotland. Deprivation limits access to safe play areas and low income makes many physical activities unaffordable.
“A sser tive action is required to improve communities and make them clean, safe and healthy for our children to develop and lead healthy active lives.”
Responding to the inactivity study, Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Aileen Keel said the Scottish NHS was already working to encourage people to make healthy decisions about t heir lifestyle.
She said: “Actions on tackling harmful use of alcohol and reducing smoking rates already show what a difference we can make. But we need to do more to tackle obesity and the resulting damage to health and costs to the health service. That is why physical activity is so important.
“There has been a substantial increase in the number of conversations taking place between patients and health professionals on the benefits of physical activity, in both preventing and mitigating a wide range of conditions.”