good health through healthy living

According to physical activity experts, in order to maintain good health every person should do 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the day on five or more days of the week. Healthy People 2010 is a report that establishes specific targets for many different health statistics, including physical activity (view this report by visiting www.health.gov/healthypeople/Document/HTML/Volume2/22Physical.htm). This report challenges our nation to reach this level of physical activity in 30% of all adults.

So how is King County doing?

Not too badly, but it could be doing better, among certain population groups and in certain areas of the county. According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a health survey conducted here in King County and other parts of the country, the amount of physical activity a person gets appears to be closely tied to income and educational level. To a certain degree physical activity is also tied to where a person lives (which is also tied to the first two factors), although other issues such as access to facilities and sidewalks could also be factors.

According to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50% of adults living in King County live a sedentary lifestyle. This adult population does not do 20 minutes of physical exercise at least 3 times per week. Additionally, 15% of all adults do not participate in any physical activity at all. Overall, with 27% of the King County population engaging in regular and sustained physical activity, this county falls short of the Healthy People 2010 goal of 30%.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, the residents of King County have an incredible array of ways to be physically active. Hiking, biking, rollerblading, canoeing, kayaking, walking, and team sports are just a few of the ways to get off the couch and get moving.

But not everyone is taking advantage of these activities. For some it is as simple as not knowing what activities are available to them and their family. But for others, the reasons for inactivity are much more complicated: working parents with little free time; living in unsafe areas; living in areas with no access to sidewalks; low income families without funds to send a child to camp or buy a bike; and living with a chronic illness or disability.

Public Health - Seattle & King County has begun a countywide effort to improve access to physical activity. This is being accomplished by promoting the activities that already exist (by partnering with other community efforts) and by developing new resources and improving access to existing resources through the efforts of the King County Physical Activity Coalition and other Public Health programs.

If you have an interest in becoming more physically active or want help in assisting your community, workplace or family, please take the time to explore this physical activity website. It is a tremendous resource for getting started.

Please keep in mind that before starting any physical activity program, it is always important to discuss your plans with your health care provider. With that in mind have fun checking out the numerous ways to have fun becoming more physically active and promoting physical activity in King County.