AMA Launches "Get Active - Get Health!" Promotion
AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, and former Olympian marathon runner, Rob de Castella, today launched the AMA's "Get Active - Get Healthy!" promotion, encouraging more Australians to become involved in sport and physical fitness in 2001.
"Australians are leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles in which exercise and movement play a very small part - if any," Dr Phelps said.
"Only half of us play sport or take part in a physical activity - and that drops to just 33% for the 65 years and older age group. Research also shows that women are less active than men.
"If this trend continues, we will inevitably see increases in heart disease, diabetes, cancer and depression," she said.
Dr Phelps was joined at a ceremony in Canberra by Diners Club Chief Executive, Bryan Ericson, to announce the winner of the AMA and Diners Club Community Service Announcement Award.
Mr Ericson presented a $5,000 cheque to 27-year-old Melbourne screenwriter, Fin Edquist, for his production of a 30-second community service announcement themed "Get Active - Get Healthy!"
"This is a terrific promotion aimed at Australians of all ages - encouraging them to find 30 minutes a day for regular physical activity," he said.
Mr Ericson said the announcement would be aired on Channel Nine in 2001.
Public health advocate and AMA and Diners Club CSA Award judge, Rob de Castella, said
technology and other labour saving devices meant that we were no longer forced to be active.
"We now all need to plan physical activity. Without that conscious effort it just doesn't happen," he said.
"And you don't need to train like an Olympic athlete to trim down and reap big health benefits - have fun, do it with a friend, make it part of your life."