The links among physical activity, fitness and health are well established scientifically and medically. There is much scientific and medical evidence that physical inactivity is a major risk for cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases. Even moderate levels of regular physical activity confer significant health benefits. However, large segments of the American population remain inactive, with little or no physical activity in their daily lives.
More than 60 percent of American adults do not receive the recommended amount of physical activity, and 25 percent of the adult population is not active at all. The year 2000 could begin an era of worsening health habits, with major health and financial consequences for families and the entire nation.
Given that context, the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA) was created in May 1995. Five leaders of health and fitness spearhead the coalition; the American Heart Association; the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the American College of Sports Medicine; the Association of Worksite Health Promotion; and the International Health and Raquet Sports Association. Its goal is to achieve constant increases in physical activity among all persons in the United States in order to improve and maintain the health and quality of life.
One way to meet that goal is to establish state coalitions to coordinate the efforts of the combined coalition constituent memberships to more than 25 million. Illinois organized its coalition in March of 1997, involving the Ill. Association of Park Districts, the Ill. Park and Recreation Association, Ill. Dept. of Public Health, Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health, American Diabetes Association, metro YMCA, Worksite Wellness Council of Illinois, American Dietetic Association, Sports Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists, 111. Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 111. League of Bicyclists, and local universities and researchers.
The mission of the Illinois Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (ICPPA) is to improve the health of the citizens of Illinois and reduce associated healthcare costs through increased awareness of the value of and participation in physical activity.
The major goal of ICPPA is by the year 2007, to have 45 percent of Illinois residents (an increase of 10 percent) participating in sufficient physical activity to promote health. That's involving approximately 100,000 additional people per year.
Currently, Illinois is one of the lowest ranking of the 50 states in the area of physical activity and health, with 35 percent of its residents getting sufficient physical activity.
For more information about the Illinois Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, please call the American Heart Association of Metropolitan Chicago at 312.346.4675, ext. 232.
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