Physical Activity

Understanding the ‘silent killer’

Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining mood, managing weight and promoting self-esteem.  

Exercise can reduce the risk of serious health problems including the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Research shows that many adults spend over 7 hours a day sitting down – at work, on transport, or watching TV or a computer screen. People aged over 65 spend 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down, making them the most sedentary age group.

The Department of Health describes inactivity as a “silent killer”. 

Our team can support you to increase your levels of physical activity, considering your current state of health and general circumstances.

Health benefits of physical activity

Having good levels of physical activity carries a wealth of benefits. People who do regular physical activity are medically proven to have: 

• Up to 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• Up to 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• Up to 50% lower risk of colon cancer
• Up to 20% lower risk of breast cancer  
• A 30% lower risk of early death
• Up to 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
• Up to 68% lower risk of hip fracture
• A 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
• Up to 30% lower risk of depression
• Up to 30% lower risk of dementia

How much activity should I do?

People aged 19-64 should aim to be active daily and complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Adults should also undertake weight-bearing physical activity, at least two days per week, to improve muscle strength and bone health.    

People between the ages of 5 to 18 should be active daily, aiming for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a day.

Younger people should also take part in a variety of types and intensities of physical activity across the week. This helps develop movement skills, muscles and bones. Aim to spread activity throughout the day and remember all physical activities should make you breathe faster and feel warmer.

How we can support you

We can support you in finding ways to become more active that suit you and your lifestyle. Once established, we will develop a plan that will keep you active. Together we will set goals and keep track of your activity levels to monitor your progress.

Find Your Active Place Navigators

These are a cohort of individuals who are embedded in communities to help residents find the activity that’s right for them. The Find Your Activity Place Navigators play an essential role in supporting those residents who are new to physical activity or don’t know where to start.

Place Navigator for Clacton, Jaywick and Walton Find Your Active with Sarah Kamara – Active Essex

Place Navigator for Basildon Find Your Active with Mira Teodorescu – Active Essex

Place Navigator for West Essex (Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford) Find Your Active with Mirka Marri – Active Essex

Place Navigator for Maldon District Find Your Active with Justine Page – Active Essex

Place Navigator for Braintree Find Your Active with Callum Riordan – Active Essex

Place Navigator for Colchester Find Your Active with Ronni Harrison – Active Essex

Place Navigator for Brentwood Find Your Active with Carol Wakeman – Active Essex

Check out the Find Your Active activity finder to see what’s available in your area https://www.activeessex.org/activity-finder/