ExerciseNZ media release: 11th June 2017

A leading national exercise expert says New Zealand guys need to get out and start exercising more or the severe preventable death rate will continue to soar.

Chief executive of Exercise New Zealand Richard Beddie says while the Kiwis just love sport they are - on the whole - a nation of couch-sports watchers, rather than from a country of fit people.

Statistics show that every three hours one New Zealand male dies of a preventable illness. Beddie pleaded for Kiwi men to exercise and stay more active - with Men's Health Week starting on 12th June 2017.

“The numerous benefits of regular physical activity are unequivocal, with not only well established physical health benefits. We see significant preventative health benefits including everything from mental health and Alzheimers through to osteoporosis and heart disease.  

“The information about the need for activity - like the smoking issues of 20 years ago - just isn’t enough to change behaviour. Being a nation of just sports watchers is not acceptable.  It’s great to watch great games like the recent Lions vs Crusaders rugby clash. But now Kiwi guys need to get active to make up for long periods on the couch."

Beddie says what’s clear is that getting information to people about what they need to do to stay healthy is easy such as:

“However, the challenge isn’t getting information to people. It’s about helping people change behaviour and changing existing people’s regular habits is actually hard. Ask any parent teaching their kids about things as simple as bedtime or brushing their teeth.

“Too much time and money is spent on telling people what to do, rather than helping them actually do it. 

“I appeal to government departments and government funded agencies to move away from pushing information campaigns and start working with those that have expertise in helping people to change their behaviour. One of the best industries at that is the exercise industry.  

“Exercise professionals such as personal trainers deal with supporting clients to change behaviour on a daily basis. However the government doesn’t realise they are a hugely under-utilised group of professionals. 

“This is such a common theme around western countries and the combined cost of inactivity and preventable diseases consistently in the top five health costs for governments. Most of this cost is born by the tax payer as New Zealand has a comprehensive public health system. This means that other services are not delivered due to insufficient funds.” Beddie says.

ExerciseNZ and its partner NZ Register of Exercise Professionals often raise issues of the need to exercise on the international stage. Beddie spoke at a global meeting in Los Angeles earlier in 2017 where over 70 countries were represented and the health-exercise link was a common theme.