Active lifestyle

The benefits of physical activity for a person’s general health and wellbeing are well established including for maintaining a healthy body weight [28716]. Physical activity can take many different forms, in many different places [34393]. You can be active at home, at school, at work and in the community, as part of leisure time, travel, active play, organised and non-organised sports, games or physical education [26979].

There are many benefits to maintaining a healthy lifestyle at all ages – from childhood to old age. For adults physical activity can:

• reduce the risk of, or help manage, type 2 diabetes
• reduce the risk of, or help manage, cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• maintain and/or improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• reduce the risk of, and assist with rehabilitation from, some cancers
• prevent unhealthy weight gain and assist with weight loss
• build strong muscles and bones
• create opportunities for socialising and meeting new people
• help to prevent and manage mental health problems
• help to develop and maintain overall physical and mental wellbeing.