press release: ukactive
Eight in 10 Brits want next Government to prioritise prevention rather than weight-loss drugs to tackle health crisis
01 Jul 2024
UK Active is calling for the next government to work with the physical activity sector to create a long-term plan to support the nation’s health / shutterstock.com / Beautiful landscape
- Eight in 10 (85%) UK adults would prefer the next Government to invest in the longterm prevention of obesity and other health conditions rather than weight-loss drugs.
- National health poll by ukactive shows 62% think that the main political parties are not doing enough to support and treat the mental health crisis across the UK.
- Given the choice by a doctor, 61% of Brits would opt to receive treatment for an injury or health condition at a gym, pool or leisure centre rather than a hospital.
- ukactive is calling for the next Government to work with the physical activity sector to create a long-term plan to support the nation’s health and boost the economy.
Eight in 10 (85%) Brits want to see the next Government invest more in preventing obesity and health conditions rather than treating them with weight-loss drugs, according to a survey by ukactive.
As the General Election reaches its conclusion, polling from Savanta commissioned by ukactive, reveals the nation’s priorities when it comes to health, physical activity and wellbeing.
The findings reveal a clear demand from the public to prioritise preventative health solutions that benefit the nation physically and mentally – and an appreciation of the need to reduce pressure on hospitals and the NHS.
Asked which is a greater priority, rather than opting for the Government investing more in weight-loss drugs, 85% of respondents chose lifestyle support, for example, for the longterm prevention of obesity and related health conditions. Long-term prevention was particularly popular among those aged 55 and over, with 93% preferring this as the priority.
According to figures from Sport England’s latest Active Lives survey, a quarter of adults in the UK are classed as physically inactive, meaning they average less than 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a week. Guidelines from the Chief Medical Officer recommend at least 150 minutes (about 2 and a half hours) a week.
While the weight-loss drug semaglutide has been viewed by some as the answer to growing levels of obesity, health professionals have raised concerns about the risks of it being used unnecessarily, citing “life-threatening complications” for those misusing the drug.
Reported side effects range from nausea, stomach aches and vomiting to kidney failure. The NHS has already called for an overhaul of how the drug is being prescribed.
Physical activity can help to prevent more than 20 chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, many types of cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, depression, anxiety, and dementia – generating more than £5.2 billion in healthcare savings a year.
Further solutions for the NHS emerged with sixty-one per cent of survey respondents saying that if their doctor gave them the choice, they would prefer to receive treatment or support for a health condition or injury in a gym, leisure centre or pool over a hospital (39%). Receiving treatment in these community settings would help to meet the demands on health services.
The NHS is experiencing extreme pressures, with waiting lists reaching 7.57 million. Fitness and leisure facilities are already running successful programmes and pilots for many health conditions, including cancer rehabilitation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as back pain, but there is huge potential to scale them nationally with government support.
Fitness and leisure facilities are already running successful programmes and pilots for many health conditions, including cancer rehabilitation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions such as back pain, but there is huge potential to scale them nationally with government support.
The survey also found that 62% of respondents think the main political parties are not doing enough to support and treat the mental health crisis across the UK.
One in four people experience a diagnosable mental illness each year, according to the Mental Health Foundation. And a report by the Resolution Foundation found one in 20 young people are ‘economically inactive’ due to ill-health, with mental health issues recognised as a leading cause.
Physical activity is shown to support mental health, improve sleep, build social connections and boost productivity, meaning it has an essential role in improving overall health and the economy.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “This survey shows that the answer to our nation’s physical and mental health crisis lies not in a pill but in supporting people to lead healthier, happier, more active lives.
“There can be no growth without health, so it is vital the next Government works with our sector on sustainable solutions that support people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
“As the nation heads to the polls, the UK has a unique opportunity to challenge its historic short-term response to health and instead build preventative plans that utilises all levers at its disposal.
“We must make physical activity part of the strategy and deploy our nation’s gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres to help reduce health inequalities, support the NHS, improve mental health and boost the economy.”
*The consumer poll was carried out by Savanta in June 2024 and polled 2,732 people.
More press releases and updates from ukactive:
The World Health Organization has warned that 1.8 billion people are at risk of diseases
such as cancer, stroke, dementia and diabetes due to a lack of physical activity.
As we enter the final stretch of the 2024 General Election, the latest polls show little has
really changed since the starting gun was fired on 22 May, with Labour still holding a clear
lead and predictions growing of a landslide. Despite this, there have been plenty of
warnings of the dangers of complacency at this stage.
Scotland is the only nation in the UK where a larger proportion of adults admit they are
less physically active than they were five years ago, according to a survey from ukactive.
And so the battle lines are drawn. After a few weeks of trading blows based on what each
party may or may not offer on 4 July, with manifestos published all has been revealed.
A coalition of more than 200 bodies, athletes, businesses and charities across health,
sport, recreation, and physical activity has written an open letter to party leaders calling
on them to use the General Election to #TakeTheLead and commit to making the UK the most
active nation in Europe.
ukactive: news from HCMmag.com and FitTechGlobal.com
More than 200 organisations and athletes in the UK have signed an open letter
to party leaders to commit to making the nation the most active in Europe
after next month’s General Election.
Improving physical strength and fitness, mental health and confidence are the main reasons
for joining a health club, while cost, time and motivation are the main reasons for leaving.
UK Active has announced details of its annual health and fitness industry awards ceremony,
which will take place in Birmingham on the evening of Thursday 3 October at the International
Convention Centre.
The first annual Private Sector Benchmarking report was released today (27 March). A
collaboration between UK Active and 4Global, the aim of the research is to provide accurate
insight into the state of UK-based private sector health clubs.
In a soft power exercise, politicians in the UK have been invited to take part in a challenge
which encourages them to be more active, while raising awareness of the benefits of physical
activity.
ukactive: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
Industry insights: Back to work
Back pain is a leading source of work place absenteeism in the UK,
which costs both the individuals and the economy. Kath Hudson reports
on how the fitness industry is making a difference
Industry insights: The enjoyment gap
TikTok’s Shy Girl Workout, which has almost half a billion views and
counting, indicates females frequently have a different relationship to the gym from men. Kath Hudson reports on how the industry is responding
Industry insights: What's ahead
As the fitness industry has bounced back from the
pandemic, experts from around the world reflect
on the past year and what might happen next…
Insight: All welcome
As more trans women, trans men
and non-binary people join health
clubs, it’s time to work out a system
where everyone feels included,
protected and safe in the locker
room. Kath Hudson reports
Life lessons: Huw Edwards
Remember when there was mass hostility about London hosting the 2012 Olympics? Huw Edwards, CEO of UK Active, was there. He talks to Kath Hudson about the lessons he learned
Consumer expectations are rising all the time, but nowhere more than in relation to digital. UK Active’s Dave Gerrish explains how the industry is shaping up
ukactive
Tel: 020 8158 9700
Email: [email protected]
Address:
The Bloomsbury Building,
10 Bloomsbury Way,
London,
WC1A 2SL,
United Kingdom
Huw Edwards, CEO
ukactive video gallery:
Key personnel
Mike Farrar, Chair
Huw Edwards, CEO
Steven Scales, Director of Membership and Sector Development
Jack Shakespeare, Director of Research, Policy and Communications
Huw Edwards, CEO
Steven Scales, Director of Membership and Sector Development
Jack Shakespeare, Director of Research, Policy and Communications
Key customers
Gyms, health clubs, leisure centres, fitness studios, swimming pools, sports bodies, activity providers, equipment suppliers, technology suppliers, health bodies, education bodies, health charities, consumer fitness brands
Search news, features & products:
Find a supplier: