Breadcrumbs
National Step-O-Meter Programme rolls out - 27 July 2006
Around 100,000 pedometers in total will be made available to adults through the National Step-o-meter Programme, jointly run by the Department of Health and the Countryside Agency.
The programme is aimed at encouraging adults whose sedentary lifestyles are affecting their health and wellbeing to get fit and active.
And over 8,000 health professionals in primary care trusts across England will be trained to help people get the most mileage out of their pedometers.
Formally launching the Programme, Caroline Flint said:
"Walking is one of the simplest ways to get fit and active and we want to encourage people to walk their way to health through the National Step-o-meter Programme. Pedometers can give people the impetus to take that first step and as our small change Big Difference initiative shows, taking that initial step can make all the difference to people's future health and, even, life expectancy.
"GPs and nurses will be trained to advise people on how to get the most out of their pedometer by setting goals on the road to becoming active. Pedometers are a simple but effective tool in changing behaviour because the more people walk, the more they are encouraged to walk by building up the number of steps they do each day.
"We are determined to reduce the levels of obesity in this country and are the first country in Europe to take concerted action to tackle this major public health issue. Choosing Health, the public health white paper, set a framework for helping people make healthier choices. The National Step-o-meter Programme continues this important work."
Peter Fane, Countryside Agency Board Member, said: "Obesity levels have trebled over the last 20 years and this programme is about getting people off the sofa and on their feet.
"The Countryside Agency encourages people from all backgrounds to get out and enjoy their local green spaces and beautiful countryside- which can be beneficial to both physical and mental health. This is about enjoying being active as well as feeling the physical results.
"The National Step-O-Meter Programme helps provide precautionary action and is a positive, less costly and an all round better alternative to repairing the damage caused by inactivity."
Ends
For further information please contact:
Matthew Heard at the Countryside Agency press office on 01242 533476
Beth Rose at the Countryside Agency press office on 01242 533306
Vicky Wyatt, Department of Health media centre, on 020 7210 5656
Notes to Editors:
The National Step-o-meter Programme
The National Step-o-meter Programme started rolling out across England in May. The Programme will continue to roll-out during 2006. Physical inactivity costs the NHS £1.7billion excluding the costs of treating disease brought on by obesity.
Treating disease caused by obesity costs the NHS an additional £1bn annually. Each pedometer cost £3. The programme will be evaluated nationally in accordance with the recently published NICE guidance on physical activity.
Walking the way to Health (WHI)
WHI was launched in September 2000 and is a joint venture between the Countryside Agency and the British Heart Foundation. Initially conceived as a five year project, success has lead to additional funding from the Countryside Agency.
WHI aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health.
So far we’ve helped to create over 350 local health walk schemes and trained more than 18,000 volunteer walk leaders. To find out more about WHI visit: www.whi.org.uk
The Countryside Agency
The Agency is changing as the result of Defra's Rural Strategy 2004 and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, which gained Royal assent in March 2006.
The New Act sets out the creation of:
- Natural England - a single new body that will integrate the Landscape, Access and Recreation division of the Countryside Agency with English Nature and most of Defra's Rural Development Service (RDS). Natural England will work for people, places and nature, with responsibility for enhancing biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public well-being, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed - so that they can be enjoyed now and by future generations.
- Commission for Rural Communities – a single body that will act as a rural advocate, expert adviser and independent watchdog, with a particular focus on disadvantage. Currently operating as a division of the Countryside Agency, the Commission will become an independent body.
These changes will come into effect in October 2006, at which point the Countryside Agency will cease to exist.
We may be changing, but our skills, knowledge and enthusiasm will continue to benefit people in rural England. To find out more about our work, and for information about the countryside, visit our website: www.countryside.gov.uk
