Transcript Public Health and Recreation - American Recreation Coalition

Fighting Fat with Fun!
America’s Public Lands and Waters
Michael Suk, MD JD MPH FCLM
White House Fellow
U.S. Department of the Interior
Facts We Know
• The United States
is facing an
epidemic of
chronic disease
• Much of which is
preventable and
can be directly
linked to physical
inactivity
Public Health 101
• 95% of the 1.4 trillion dollars
spent on health care goes to
direct medical services
• 5% is allocated to preventing
disease and promoting health
and healthy lifestyles
• Obesity is the #1 health threat
to Americans surpassing
tobacco for the very first time!
• Is Obesity the next Tobacco?
The Future
• Fat Kids!
– 10% of 2-5
year olds
– 15% of 6-19
year olds
• Roper ASW
– Participation
decreasing
America’s Public Lands and Waters:
The Gateway to Better Health?
Executive Order 13266
The framework for unprecedented coordination
HealthierUS
Based on the
premise that
increasing personal
fitness and
becoming healthier
is critical to
achieving a better
and longer life.
4 Principles
• Be Physically
Active Every Day
• Eat a Nutritious
Diet
• Get Preventive
Screenings
• Make Healthy
Choices
Problem and Opportunity
• HealthierUS is not widely known
• Despite the mandate for land and
water management agency
involvement, we have not capitalized
on the full potential of collaboration…
• Resulting in some missed
opportunities…
National Trails Day
June, 2004
2002
A Fundamental “Disconnect”
• Physical Activity = EXERCISE
• The exercise message fails to
connect with the audience that need
it most…
What is “Exercise”?
Exercise is a process whereby the body performs work
of a demanding nature… in a clinically-controlled
environment… meaningfully loading the muscular
structures… to stimulate a growth mechanism within
minimum time.
Ken Hutchins, Super Slow®: The ULTIMATE Exercise Protocol, 2nd Ed. ©1992
What is “Recreation”?
Recreation is the
refreshment of health or
spirits by relaxation and
enjoyment or an activity or
pastime that promotes this.
The Collins English Dictionary © 2000
“Recreational Activity”
• The physical and mental health
benefits of “recreational activity” are
well documented
Natural Cure for the Blues
• 80% - 90% of outdoor participants
– Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment
– Feel the natural setting allows them to
escape the pressures of everyday life
– Believe it keeps then feeling young
– Feel it allows them to connect with
themselves
*Exploring the Active Lifestyle, Prepared for Outdoor Industry Foundation by Harris Interactive, Copyright 2004.
What Brings a Peaceful
State of Mind?
Men
Women
Nature
37%
53%
Sex
27%
15%
Payday
8%
13%
The Bottom Line
• ANY activity above sedentary is beneficial
• However, the “exercise” message lingers
in most minds and has failed to resonate
with the recreation community.
Obesity experts to docs: Start 'prescribing' exercise
February 10, 2004
Bridging the Gap
• Between those who will seek out
“recreation” but will seldom seek
opportunities to “exercise”
• Linking the concepts:
– “light to moderate physical activity”
– “recreational activity”
What is Physical Activity?
• Physical activity can be broken down
into 3 cultural functions:
– Necessary to fulfill obligations of paid
work, household work, personal care
and child care
– Undertaken as a specific means to
improve health or to escape negative
health consequences
–Inherently part of a
pleasurable leisure
experience
Enjoyment is the Key
It would appear that, in the next few
decades, the greatest potential to
increase human movement in daily life will
be by increasing participation in physical
activity which is inherently part of a
pleasurable leisure experience and has
meaning aside from exercise.
In other words, leisure,
play, recreation, sport,
contact with nature, etc.
Gateway to Better Health
• Hiking, biking and
camping have the
greatest longevity that
any of the human
powered outdoor
activities*
• People who enjoy
these activities are
more likely to try
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Climbing
Downhill skiing
Snowboarding
Kayaking
Cross-country skiing
Trail running
Snow shoeing
Volunteering
*Exploring the Active Lifestyle, Prepared for Outdoor Industry
Foundation by Harris Interactive, Copyright 2004.
Volunteering
Those who volunteer on
environmental projects
are nearly 3 times (2.7)
more likely to be meeting
recommended levels of
physical activity
Most popular activities among
American travelers
Shopping
34%
Outdoor Activities
17%
Historical Places/Museums
14%
Beaches
11%
Cultural Events/Festivals
10%
National/State Park
10%
Theme/Amusement Park
9%
Nightlife/Dancing
8%
Gambling
8%
Sports Event
Golf/Tennis/Skiing
0%
6%
3%
5%
10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
Percent of Person-trips
Source: TravelScope, 2002
Secret to Success?
Start Young!
• 90% of active adult
participants started
between the ages of 5
and 18*
• The average age
Americans start their
favorite activity is 18
years old.*
• Personal challenges
and health benefits
are what keep people
active throughout
their lives*
• If a person becomes
involved in one
activity, that they will
be interested in other
activities, thus raising
their activity
throughout their life.*
*Exploring the Active Lifestyle, Prepared for Outdoor Industry Foundation by Harris Interactive, Copyright 2004.
Opening the Doors Wider at
America’s Public Lands…
• Unmatched distribution network for a
common heath related message
• The nexus for unprecedented
collaboration between
unconventional partners
• Economies of scale by providing
federal partners access to recreation
venues and vice versa
But not so wide…
• We should not create
the health care
message
• We should not retrain
employees to become
health care experts
• We should not
compromise the
primary mission of
stewardship of public
lands
Achieving Balance
• Provide the
necessary information
on where recreation
opportunities exist
• Provide the essential
link to state and local
governmental sites
and initiatives
• Provide the nexus for
unconventional
partnerships
• Provide a network for
communication which
touches individual
lives
Seizing Opportunity
• Increased utilization
of refuges, lakes,
trails, and parks
• Enhanced
stewardship of public
lands
• Positive public image
• Health care
messaging is among
the most effective way
to reach a public
audience
• Encourage the public
to see land and water
management
agencies in a
different, and very
positive light
It’s not just about caring
for the public lands…
It’s about caring for the
people who use them
The Federal Family