Plaid in government helps nation to get active
12 Mai 2009
A more active lifestyle should be the focus for improving health and wellbeing. That was the message from Plaid Am and eating disorders campaigner, Bethan Jenkins, today during a debate on the government’s action plan: ‘Creating an active Wales’.The action plan, ‘Creating an Active Wales’, launched by Plaid Minister Alun Ffred Jones, focuses on four strategic aims; to develop a physical environment that makes it easier for people to choose to be more physically active; to support children and young people to live active lives, and become active adults; to encourage more adults to be more active, more often throughout life and to increase participation in sport, by all sectors of the population.
Bethan Jenkins AM said that all too often the debate surrounding healthy lifestyles becomes over focussed on food and eating habits which can fuel obsessions with food and lead to eating disorders.
Plaid’s AM Bethan Jenkins said:
“It’s important that government sends out the right messages about leading a healthy lifestyle. This action plan from Plaid’s Alun Ffred Jones does just that. Rather than focussing on food and dieting, it is setting a challenge to everyone to lead more active lives. This is proven to improve overall health and wellbeing. Past governments have paid lip service to this concept; I am proud that it is a Plaid Minister who is taking the first concrete steps to making a positive difference to the health of the nation through physical activity.
“As the Chief Medical Officer has stated, more than half of Welsh men and women are classified as overweight or obese. Urgent measures are necessary to tackle these problems, but it is important that these measures are not focussed solely on diet and food.
“Plaid is committed to enabling people to improve their health through increased physical activity. In the 2008 local elections we pledged to create healthier and more active workplaces in local authorities, something we have delivered for example since we went into government in Cardiff council.
“The important role that increased activity plays in improving health cannot be underestimated. I am confident that this action plan will have a very positive impact on the health and well being of the people of Wales.”
