Physical Activity is defined as any bodily movement that burns energy with the movement of muscles. This includes any motion you may do throughout your day such as:
- Walking
- Running
- Taking the stairs
- Mowing the lawn
- Cleaning your house
- Sporting activities
NOTE: The activities listed above exclude sitting and lying down.
Physical activity has many benefits that can be seen over a short and long term period e.g.:
- Increases your chances of living longer
- Improves brain health, mood & energy level
- Lowers blood cholesterol levels
- Supports weight management
- Strengthens bones and muscles
- Improves quality of life
- Reduces your risk of depression, anxiety and promotes better sleep experience
If everybody in Jamaica became physically active, we could prevent:
- 13% of breast cancer
- 14% of colon cancer
- 8% coronary heart disease
- 10% of type 2 diabetes
Physical inactivity results in 6% Global Mortality and 12.8% death rates in Jamaica.
In Jamaica, if we improved our physical activity we could add 1 Year in life expectancy to enjoy good health!
If you are living with any Non-Communicable Disease, Physical activity can help in your journey to recovery, as it is shown to reduce the risk of recurrence for:
Tips on How to be Physically Active:
If you are considering increasing your physical activity, use this link (https://ncdip.moh.gov.jm/wellness-calculators/physical-activity/) to take the PAR-Q quiz to assess your readiness for physical activity.
Become physically active at:
Home or in Your Community by…
- Choosing activities you enjoy e.g. Playing Football, Cricket, Hop-Scotch, Dandy Shandy, Catch, Hula Hoop, Cycling, Gardening
- Being creative and trying new activities - Walking with friends, Dancing, Bowling, Jogging, work-it-out challenges with friends and family
- Balancing TV, Games and phone screen time with physical activities in between
- Downloading apps & electronic games that encourage movement
- Doing simple squats when cooking
At school by…
- Joining a team that plays your favourite sport
- Encouraging your teachers to have small stretch breaks to increase concentration
- Creating new activities and share with friends
- Attending and participating in physical education classes
- Walking to the bus stop instead of taking the bus/taxi at the school gate
- Walking to school in groups if the distance is not too far from home
At church by…
- Forming a physical activity club at church
- Choosing songs that are action oriented and encouraging all to do the action
- Taking frequent stretch breaks
- Standing instead of sitting sometimes
