The public health value of doctors encouraging patients to exercise

[...]population levels of physical activity remain low, despite research continuing to highlight that important indices of public health respond to additional energy expenditure. 2 At the same time, the sharp rise in prescriptions over the past 10 years suggests that "pharmacological enthusiasm...

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Published inBMJ (Online) Vol. 347; no. nov12 6; p. f6718
Main Authors Zwolinsky, Stephen, McKenna, Jim, Pringle, Andy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 12.11.2013
BMJ Publishing Group LTD
Subjects
Exercise
Humans
Physical fitness
Physicians
Public Health
Risk Reduction Behavior
England
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Summary:[...]population levels of physical activity remain low, despite research continuing to highlight that important indices of public health respond to additional energy expenditure. 2 At the same time, the sharp rise in prescriptions over the past 10 years suggests that "pharmacological enthusiasm" has undermined interest in, promotion of, and adherence to healthier lifestyles. 3 Put simply, for better and more sustainable public health, people need to stop taking prescribed drugs they don't need and start living more functionally. 3 For their part, doctors need to cut back on drug prescriptions and promote lifestyle change more widely and effectively. 4 How likely is this to happen in practice? [...]that evidence is available, the current study underlines the public health value of doctors encouraging patients to do "at least moderate intensity exercise on five or more days per week."
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ISSN:0959-8138
1756-1833
1756-1833
DOI:10.1136/bmj.f6718