ASA READY TO HELP IN NATIONAL FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY
The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has welcomed a Government
report on the long-term threat to society of increasing levels
of obesity and says sport can play a vital role in overcoming
the issue.
The long-awaited "Tackling Obesities: Future Choices"
report, from the Government's respected Foresight think-tank
unit, is an in-depth two-year study, sponsored by the Public
Health Minister Dawn Primarolo, examining the causes of obesity
and mapping future trends to help Government plan effective
policies.
Preventing obesity requires major change, claimed the report,
in the environment and in behaviour; in organisations as well
as in communities, families and individuals.
For many years the ASA has argued consistently that obesity
is a problem on an epidemic scale, requiring urgent and long-term
actions across the board of Government activity.
The ASA believes that a fundamental part of the answer has
to be higher levels of physical activity and has introduced
many nationwide schemes, in partnership with the Government
and agencies like Sport England and the Youth Sport Trust,
in an effort to encourage more active lifestyles.
Swimming is a key sport, as a major physical activity for
all ages, in helping to make a difference and drive down numbers
of those struggling with or under threat of obesity in the
UK.
The ASA has promised to continue to campaign alongside the
Government and to work with its army of clubs, coaches and
volunteers, to get more people of all ages into swimming for
their health.
National ASA initiatives such as Everyday Swim, www.freeswimming.org
<http://www.freeswimming.org>, Kellogg's Swim Active
and Swimfit are designed to encourage more people to enjoy
the nation's most popular participation sport after walking
and these schemes are already having a positive impact in
helping to increase the health of the nation.
Working alongside the Department of Health, the ASA has already
introduced a three-year programme called Swim for Health to
target groups such as the over 50s, pre-school children and
their families as well as people with a range of specific
health needs.
However, the ASA believes there are many other factors that
can help to change the shape and health of a nation and now
is the time for agencies to work together to help affect this.
Research undertaken by the ASA has indicated that key to
increasing participation is investment in new facilities that
meet the expectations of people today and investment in the
industry to up-skill the workforce is also essential in providing
a new standard of delivery.
Commenting on the report, ASA Chief Executive David Sparkes
said: "This Government report underlines the urgency
of action to encourage more of the population to start healthy
lifestyles.
"Swimming is of course the physical activity that is
good for everyone, easy to try and accessible everywhere.
"We are committed to this challenge and the ASA will
play its full part in supporting all Government efforts to
get more people, especially more youngsters, making activity
such as swimming part of their healthier lifestyles.
"Our work on Everyday Swim demonstrates that a small
scheme can generate a massive change in behaviour and will
help to improve the health of a nation."
Welcoming the results, Public Health Minister, Dawn Primarolo
said: "The Department of Health sponsored this report,
it is world-class research of the highest quality and will
form an integral part of our drive to tackle obesity.
"There is no single solution to tackle obesity and it
cannot be tackled by Government action alone. We will only
succeed if the problem is recognised, owned and addressed
at every level and every part of society.
"We have made progress with improved physical activity
levels at school, healthier school food for children, clearer
food labelling and tougher restrictions on advertising foods
high in fat and sugar to children - but we know that we need
to go further and faster."
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