The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has detailed how local authorities, schools and workplaces can encourage physical activity
In a new quality standard, NICE urges organisations to introduce physical activity programmes to encourage adults and children to move more and become more physically active.
It suggests examples of workplace programmes that could lead to increased activity levels, which include:
- incentive schemes, such as subsidised gym memberships
- offering flexibility around taking breaks to enable employees to take short walks during work breaks
- supporting staff to walk, cycle or use other modes of transport involving physical activity (to travel to and from work and as part of their working day)
The CSP welcomed the guidance, which aligns closely with the society’s Love activity, Hate exercise? campaign.
CSP professional adviser Jenny Nissler said: ‘The CSP supports this Quality Standard. Given the current issues with both childhood and adult obesity and those around air quality, this is an important publication that can build on measures already in place to increase the number of people becoming more active.’
As well as highlighting the need for physical activity programmes in workplaces, the quality standard suggests that local authorities should involve community members in the design and management of public open spaces, and prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and people who use public transport when they develop and maintain travel routes.
CSP professional networks contributed to the standards consultation
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