(Excerpts from address for World Move For Health Day 2016, May 10, 2016)

The physical activity movement in Jamaica needs to energise so that our population can receive the many benefits of physical activity.

It is known to reduce high blood pressure, arthritis pain, mental issues and also reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart attacks, stroke, falls, and improves cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, healthier body mass and composition, improved bone health, increased functional health, and improved cognitive function.

Structured physical activities have increased over the years in Jamaica. Almost every weekend there is an organised group engaging in some form of a structured physical activity programme.

Despite this visible increase, however, there is still a large segment of the population that remains inactive. The Health and Lifestyle Study 2008 reveals that almost half (46 per cent) of the adult population was classified as having a low physical activity or being inactive. The majority, or 90 per cent of Jamaicans, 15-74 years, were either sedentary or participated in light physical activity during their leisure time. The data also shows that more Jamaicans are reporting low levels of physical activity compared to eight years prior when the similar study was conducted, and this is accompanied by a significant increase in overweight and obesity which are strongly associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and high cholesterol. It is also of note that one in 10 people in the population had high cholesterol and a more than 20 were depressed.

According to the World Health Organization criteria for obesity and overweight, more than 50 per cent of Jamaicans were overweight or obese. The 2008 Health and Lifestyle Study also reveals that more than 60 per centof women between the ages of 25-74 years old were overweight or obese, had an increased waist circumference, and an increased waist-hip ratio which is indicative of higher cardiovascular risk. More than a quarter of the population had three or more cardiovascular risk factors and this was more frequent in women (31 per cent vs 25 per cent) when compared to men.

When we look at the broader spectrum with regards to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the data is telling.Data from the Pan American Health Organization suggests that the Caribbean epidemic of chronic NCDs is the worst in the region of the Americas. The burden of chronic NCDs remains very high in the Jamaican population. In 2010, 70 per cent of deaths in Jamaica were due to the four major NCDs — namely cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases — of which 27 per cent occurred below the age of 70 years.

Non-communicable diseases are caused, to a large extent, by four behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, and the harmful use of alcohol, and unless the NCD epidemic is aggressively confronted, the mounting impact will continue and may be increasing.

It is well documented that the major reduction in the burden of NCDs must come from population-wide intervention. Jamaica has done fairly well with the Public Health (Tobacco Control) Regulations 2013; however, a vicious cycle may ensue if we do not address the other risk factors.

Physical activity is influenced by the built environment, including residential space, recreational areas, work space and aspects of our daily commute. Increasing physical activity is a societal, not just an individual problem. Therefore, it demands a multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary, and culturally relevant and targeted approach. We believe, if we start a movement and a new intervention across Jamaica we can get more people engaged in physical activity.

While we push physical activity as a preventative measure, it can also benefit those who already have or are recovering from an NCD. Physical activity can also help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality for breast cancer (up to about 40 per cent risk reduction), colon cancer (50 per cent) and prostate cancer (30 per cent) , as well as a 25-30 per cent reduction in stroke among active individuals.

We need to encourage our citizens to take their health into their own hands as their health is largely their responsibility. They can start by simply engaging in some form of physical activity such as walking, which will go a far way.

We must tackle non-communicable diseases at various levels, and as a Government we must develop the policies and create an environment that is suitable for behaviour change. On the other hand, the policies and guidelines must be implemented at the various levels. Our citizens must be engaged and encouraged to take action.

As part of the health promotions mandate the health ministry will be focusing on getting Jamaicans moving again.

Dr Christopher Tufton is minister of health