Physical activity is important for health

The levels and patterns of physical activity in a population comprise an important generic indicator in Public Health Nutrition. Physical inactivity, usually together with unhealthy food habits, is associated with the development of many of the major non-communicable diseases and conditions in society, such as cardiovascular disease, some cancers, obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis. It has become increasingly clear that physical inactivity is a global health issue (Sjöström et al., 2003).

Physical Activity is any movement, using energy above resting level

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure above resting level (Caspersen et al., 1985). This broad definition involves virtually all types of activity like: walking, cycling, dance, traditional games, pastimes, gardening, housework, sports and intentional exercise (Cavill et al., 2006). Oppositely, inactivity refers to a state of no marked increase in energy expenditure above resting level (Hagströmer, 2007). Sedentary lifestyle includes some activity, but usually not enough for gaining health effects (Sjöström et al., 2006), while active living is a way of life that integrates at least half an hour of physical activity each day into daily routines (Cavill et al., 2006). See also: Graphical description of the definition of physical activity and related concepts.

Health Enhancing Physical Activity is any form of activity that benefits health

Health Enhancing Physical Activity is any form of physical activity that benefits health and fitness without undue harm or risk (Foster, 2000). This can be all daily activities and can, but does not necessarily, include sports. Not all physical activity is beneficial for health (Hagströmer, 2007). To be beneficial for health, physical activity should be ‘moderate’ or ‘vigorous’:

• Moderate-intensity physical activity raises the heart-beat and leaves the person feeling warm and slightly out of breath. It increases the body’s metabolism to 3-6 times the resting level (3-6 MET ’s) (Cavill et al., 2006). Brisk walking, for example, has an equivalent of 4.5 MET’s (Ainsworth et al., 2000).
• Vigorous-intensity physical activities enable people to work up a sweat and become out of breath. They usually involve sports or exercise, like running or fast cycling. They raise the metabolism to at least six times its resting level.

Physical fitness is the result of a physical active life

Physical fitness is defined as the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigour and alertness, without undue fatigue and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and to meet unforeseen emergencies. Next to physical activity, physical fitness and a few related indicators have been proposed as indicators to be used in the European Health Monitoring System (Sjöström et al., 2003). For more information on these indicators, see Indicators proposed for the European Health Monitoring System.