Read Getting Set for an Active Nation - Sport New Zealand

and Grazier, 1997), and it has been estimated that one fifth of all bowel cancers
are caused by physical inactivity (Levi, Pasche, Lucchini, Tavani and La Vecchia,
1999).
• The current rate of colon cancers recorded in New Zealand each year, with 1,000
deaths will continue. “Physical activity helps to reduce the risk of colon cancer by
benefiting the precancerous polyps in the large bowel” (NZIER, 1998, p.24).
Diabetes and Obesity
• The incidence of non-insulin dependent diabetes is increasing in western societies
and is expected to double by 2010 (Zimmet, 1999). This disease is characterised
by its onset in adult life and increased body mass, and frequently coexists with
high blood pressure and heart disease. Clear epidemiological evidence exists that
the risk of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes is reduced by being
physically active (Helmrich, Ragland and Paffenbarger, 1994; Manson, Rimm,
Stampfler, Colditz, Willett, Kroewski, Rosner, Hennekens and Speizer, 1991), and it
has been estimated that between a third and a half of the new cases of NIDDM
might be prevented by regular moderate physical activity (Bauman and Owen,
1996).
• 5%-10% of Maori (Simmons, 1996), are disproportionately represented within the
diabetes pattern of 2%-5% of all New Zealanders. Up to one-half “of new cases of
non-insulin dependent diabetes could be prevented by regular, moderate, physical
activity. For those who already have diabetes, physical activity may improve
glucose metabolism, increase insulin sensitivity and prevent an increase in
atherosclerosis” (NZIER, 1998, p.24).
Coronary Heart Disease
• “The epidemiological evidence now indicates a strong and almost certainly causal
relationship between physical activity and mortality from cardiovascular disease,
diabetes and colon cancer” (Stephenson, Bauman, Armstrong, Smith and Bellew,
2000, p.11).
• The most persuasive proof concerns the prevention of coronary heart disease,
which continues to kill more New Zealanders, often at a relatively young age, than
any other disease. Individuals who are regularly active have half the risk from this
disease than those with a sedentary lifestyle (Berlin and Colditz, 1990; Powell,
Thompson, Casperson and Kendrick, 1987), and in the United States a third of the
annual deaths from coronary disease can be attributed to insufficient physical
activity (Powell and Blair, 1994).
• The Hillary Commission (1998), has quantified lives lost in noting that: “A 10%
increase in the number of adults who are active would return health care savings
of at least $55 million a year. This would prevent hundreds of premature deaths”
(p.2).
Ministerial Taskforce on Sport, Fitness & Leisure January 2001 page 40 of 153