Physical Activity Program
The 1999 report "Physical Activity, It's Your Move" produced for DHEC by the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center, reported that a lack of physical activity in South Carolina caused an estimated 21 percent of all heart disease, 21 percent of all cases of high blood pressure, 25 percent of all cases of colon cancer, and 40 percent of all diabetes cases. Compared to nationwide statistics, fewer South Carolinians are regularly active, more are sedentary, and more are at risk for health problems related to lack of exercise (regular and sustained physical activity).
The Physical Activity Program, part of the Division of Risk Reduction and Health Promotion, is committed to coordinating the promotion of physical activity throughout the state by:
- Assisting the SC Governor's Council on Physical Fitness with planning and coordinating Council activities with state and local partners to develop and maintain environmental changes that will promote physical activity among all South Carolinians.
- Maintaining a network among and partnerships with state and local agencies to promote and expand safe opportunities for walking and biking.
- Providing technical assistance and consultation to the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control staff, regional RR/HP staff, as well as to other state agencies, community health agencies, and the South Carolina Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.
- Improving the percentage of regularly active South Carolinians by promoting policy and environmental change.
The Physical Activity Program is engaged in several activities designed to remove barriers to physical activity and to promote changes in both policies and environments that would increase physical activity levels and thus positively impact the overall health of South Carolinians. For more information or any questions about the Physical Activity Program, please contact the Physical Activity Consultant at (803) 898-0269.
Physical Activity Guidelines
The 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health concluded that 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most or all days of the week can reduce substantially the risk of developing or dying from heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure. Physical activity also helps people maintain healthy body weight, aids in the management of osteoarthritis, reduces the risk of falls and fractures, and, generally speaking, improves the quality of life.
On average, persons who are physically active live longer than those who are sedentary. Regular physical activity also helps to maintain the functional independence of older adults. Research has demonstrated that virtually all individuals will benefit from regular physical activity. The adoption and maintenance of regular physical activity represent an important component of any health regime and provides multiple opportunities to improve and maintain health.
The current recommendation is 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on at least five days per week. Persons who are inactive should strive to gradually work up to 30 minutes of physical activity. According to the Institute of Medicine, it will be necessary to modify food intake as well as increase levels of physical activity beyond 30 minutes in order to lose weight. For inactive people, a little physical activity improves their health and quality of life even if they do not fully achieve the recommended goal. For people who are already meeting the goal, adding more time of increasing the intensity of the activity brings added benefit.
Points to Remember
- The regularity of activity is more important than the intensity, activity need not be limited to special exercise sessions but can be woven into the fabric of routine living.
- Inactive persons improve their health by becoming more physically active even if they do not reach the recommended levels.
- Multiple 10 minute sessions are OK.
- Every increase in activity brings some benefit, especially to very inactive individuals.
Definition of Terms
Physical Activity: Any bodily movement caused by skeletal muscles.
Exercise: Movement that is planned, structured, and repetitive, commonly done to improve or maintain physical fitness.
Physical Fitness: Skills or abilities such as endurance, strength, flexibility, or balance that enable us to perform physical activity.
Regularly Active: 5 or more days a week for a total time of 150 minutes or more, OR 3 or more days a week of vigorous activity for 20 or more minutes each session.
Physical Activity Coalitions
The South Carolina Governor's Council on Physical Fitness was established by Executive Order in 1972 by Governor John C. West. The Council promotes the health and well-being of South Carolinians of all ages by advancing their levels of physical activity and fitness.
The Council is composed of 10 members appointed by the Governor, 5 members representing the South Carolina Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, and 3 members representing organizations with an interest in physical fitness and healthy lifestyles. In addition to serving as an advisor to the state on issues related to physical activity, providing vision and leadership to agencies and policy-makers, the Governor's Council conducts several activities:
- An annual awards program has been established by the Council to honor excellence in physical activity. Awards are presented in the following categories: individual, community, worksite, school, faith-based organization, media, and, public policy.
- "Promoting An Active South Carolina: A Conference on Physical Activity and Health," a training seminar on community-based physical activity initiatives has been held since 1997. The 2004 Conference was held on April 21-22, 2004 at the Sheraton on Bush River Road in Columbia.
- An advocacy kit to promote physical education has been produced and is available. It is currently being updated and the new version will be available in the fall of 2004.
- A quarterly newsletter, "The Fitness Connection," is published.
- In collaboration with the SC Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, the Council participates in Walk to School Day by actively promoting the event and funding mini-grants.
The Physical Activity Consultant serves as the Executive Director for the Council. The Prevention Research Center at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina provides a graduate student assistant to serve as the newsletter editor and to perform other duties as assigned. The graduate assistant is housed with the Executive Director at DHEC.
For information about the Governor’s Council, please contact Jay Daniels, Executive Director at 803-545-4486.
The SC Eat Smart Move More Coalition coordinates obesity prevention efforts across the state and leads the implementation of South Carolina’s Obesity Prevention Plan. The intent is ongoing collaboration between state agencies, business and industry, health care organizations, schools, academia, community based groups and coalitions and a broad range of other stakeholders to capitalize and leverage differing areas of expertise, skill and resources to impact obesity in South Carolina. Through advocacy, communications, training/education and implementation, Eat Smart, Move More...SC works towards a South Carolina in which healthy eating and active living are the pillars of healthy lifestyles in healthy communities.
Eat Smart, Move More…SC Accomplishments
- 7 Healthy Habits awareness campaign to highlight seven simple ways South Carolinians can take small steps to achieve big results, including four public service announcements to begin airing soon
- Farmers’ Market Toolkit that addresses increasing the availability and affordability of locally grown produce, which also benefits the local economy
- South Carolina Healthy Options is an online physical activity directory where users can search for local physical activity programs by age, county and activity.
- Online Options For Action is a web-based tool designed to provide guidance for implementation of obesity prevention programs and strategies in specific settings including schools, faith, worksite, communities, childcare and healthcare)
- Online Breastfeeding Resource Guide is a web-based tool that provides trusted resources for breastfeeding promotion and support for professionals and the general public.
- Annual Obesity Prevention Summit that brings together key stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to prevent obesity in South Carolina
- SC Walk to School Day program that encourages walking/biking to school on a regular basis
- Partners with the SC Department of Transportations Safe Routes to School program to create a model program that is being replicated throughout the nation
Contact Information
Amy Splittgerber, Partnership Coordinator
(803) 941-7050
Amy@EatSmartMoveMoreSC.org
www.EatSmartMoveMoreSC.org
Downloadable Brochures and Success Stories (pdf)