Drive to develop an active lifestyle

(Copied form bbc.co.uk/news website)]

A new DVD which aims to inspire people with learning disabilities to become more active has been launched by Glasgow City Council. It said there were high rates of obesity and low levels of physical activity among the city's 3,000 people with learning disabilities. The DVD features ordinary people with learning disabilities taking part in sports and other activities.

"You can do it" was unveiled by the city's Lord Provost, Bob Winter. He said: "People with learning disabilities are among the most socially excluded in society, but with the correct support and guidance they can get much, much more out of life. Being more active is not only going to lead to healthier lifestyles, but it can also build confidence and encourage greater sociability."

Figures from the Scottish Health Survey indicated a significant gap in obesity rates between people aged 16-64 years with learning difficulties and members of the general population in the same age range.

In particular 46% of women with learning disabilities between 25 and 34-years-old are affected by obesity. This compared with 12% in the general female population. Men with learning disabilities are also affected, with 25% of those in the same age range considered obese. This compared with 14% of the general male population.

Comment received from Richard Boyd, CEO of DisabilityEssex:-

"Please look at our website www.healthyarts.org on our work on improving health for disabled people, also our main website www.disabilityessex.org on the range of work we undertake."