Alliance signs charter to fight physical inactivity

The Sport and Recreation Alliance has signed up to the Toronto Charter for Physical Activity. The Charter is considered the gold standard advocacy tool for physical activity and articulates a strong case for increased action and investment in physical activity initiatives.

The Toronto Charter for Physical Activity is supported by 269 organisations worldwide – including NHS Health Scotland and the BHF National Centre for Physical Activity and Health – and sets out four main areas of action:

1. Implementing a national policy and action plan for increasing physical activity.
2. Introducing policies that support physical activity.
3. Reorienting services and funding to prioritise physical activity.
4. Developing partnerships for action.

All four home countries’ Chief Medical Officers rate physical inactivity as the fourth major risk factor for chronic diseases or preventable cause of death and worldwide physical inactivity causes 5.7 million deaths.

James Allen, Head of Policy at the Sport and Recreation Alliance, believes that tackling inactivity is vital for the UK.

“Physical inactivity among today’s 11-25 year olds will cost the UK economy £53.3 billion over the course of their lifetimes.

“Signing up to the Toronto Charter for Physical Activity is another step in the Alliance’s journey to fight inactivity and we’ll continue to work hard to ensure that Britain becomes a happier, healthier nation.”

Earlier this year the Alliance formed a public health working group to facilitate constructive dialogue both within the sector and with external stakeholders – Public Health England in particular – to try and force the agenda for tackling inactivity.

The Alliance has now established a working group for public health which comprises of The Ramblers, England Squash, the LTA, England Golf, the Laban Guild, English Federation of Disability Sport and the Amateur Swimming Association. The group also has input from the BHF National Centre and Kay Thompson at Sport England.

If you’d like to be part of the consultation group for the Alliance Public Health Working Group, or would like more information contact Verity Comley.

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