Chapter 4 4 Leisure, Health, and Physical Activity Jason N. Bocarro and Michael A. Kanters C H A P T E R

Learning Outcomes Identify some of the major trends and statistics relating to physical inactivity as well as the consequences of these trends. Understand how the leisure services field can facilitate active living and positively contribute to addressing this public health issue. Understand how leisure behavior can contribute to personal health and wellness.

Statistics 1.6 billion overweight and 400 million obese adults worldwide (WHO, 2005). By 2015 these numbers will increase to 2.3 billion overweight and 700 million obese adults (WHO, 2005). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 65% of U.S. adults and 16% of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Obesity prevalence is also rising in other countries, reaching 20% to 30% in some European countries and 70% in Polynesia (Kumanyika et al., 2008).

Consequences of Obesity As obesity increases, so does use of health care services (36% increase in annual costs to the individual). Estimates of cost to the nation range from $69 billion to $117 billion per year. –$61 billion in direct costs –$56 billion in indirect costs (continued)

Consequences of Obesity (continued) Cost to employers is approximately $13 billion annually. –$8 billion in health insurance expenditures –$2.4 billion in sick leave –$1.8 billion for life insurance –$1 billion for disability Indirect quality of life costs, lost human potential, premature loss of life, and other nonmeasurable, noneconomic consequences

Health: What Is It? Health is a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Governments have a responsibility for the health of their people, which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health and social measures.

Healthy People 2010 Challenges individuals, communities, and professionals to take specific steps to ensure that good health and long life are enjoyed by all. Two overarching goals: 1.Help people of all ages increase life expectancy and improve their quality of life. 2.Eliminate health disparities among different segments of the population.

Goal Areas Relevant to Parks and Recreation Improve health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity. Reduce the proportion of adults who engage in no leisure-time physical activity. Reduce the proportion of adolescents who view television 2 or more hours on a school day.

Health Indicators Physical activity Overweight and obesity Tobacco use Substance abuse Responsible sexual behavior (continued)

Health Indicators (continued) Mental health Injury and violence Environmental quality Immunization Access to health care

Three Approaches to Health Care Treatment Environmental risk reduction Prevention

An Example As you watch the video (Investigative Reports: The Supersize Generation: Kids and Obesity), consider these questions: Pinpoint at least three themes that the commentators think are either indirectly or directly contributing to the obesity epidemic. (In your response, think of how these relate to topics we have discussed related to leisure, policy, social ecology, recreation, work, and time.) Can you think of examples from your own life (from your life or from your friends’ and family members’ lives) that reiterate some of these points? What are your overall reactions to this video? Did you like it? Do you agree with the points? Why or why not?

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity Five or more sessions per week of activities that last more than 60 minutes and that require moderate to vigorous levels of exertion. Reduces risk of premature death Improves aerobic endurance and muscular strength Favorably affects risk factors for cardiovascular disease (continued)

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity (continued) Decreases blood pressure in adolescents with borderline hypertension Increases physical fitness in obese children Decreases degree of overweight in obese children Leads to higher levels of self-esteem and self- concept Lowers levels of anxiety and stress

Having access to greenways and trails has been shown to encourage more physical activity and is a desirable amenity for most people.

Among 12- to 21-Year-Olds 50% do not regularly participate in vigorous physical activity. 14% report no recent physical activity. Inactivity is more prevalent among females (14%) than males (7%). Inactivity is more prevalent among black females (21%) than white females (12%). Urban areas tend to be more healthy than rural areas. (continued)

Among 12- to 21-Year-Olds (continued) Physical activity declines with age. Physical activity tracks with age. Enrollment in PE classes is declining. Funding for after-school and community-based programs continues to be a challenge. Approximately 80% of physical activity occurs outside of school (in community-based programs).

Among Adults 6 of 10 adults do not engage in the recommended amount of activity. 1 of 4 adults report no physical activity at all. Inactivity is more prevalent among women than men. (continued)

Among Adults (continued) Inactivity is more prevalent among African American and Hispanic adults than whites. Inactivity is more prevalent among older adults than younger adults. Inactivity is related to affluence (less affluent = less active, more affluent = more active).

Iso-Ahola’s Leisure Repertoire

Tendencies to Seek Familiar and New Forms of Leisure

Influences on Participation Skill and performance level Geographic location Past experiences with a sport (positive and negative) Availability of services (opportunity) (continued)

Influences on Participation (continued) Socialization and social support Constraints –Intrapersonal –Interpersonal –Structural

Social Ecological Model Intrapersonal and individual factors Interpersonal processes Institutional factors Community factors Public policy

The Hockey Is for Everyone program combines hockey skills instruction with life skills instruction and is rooted in positive youth development practices. The program targets underserved youth, introducing them to a sport that they may not have been exposed to before.

Who’s Responsible? All adolescents should be physically active daily, or nearly every day, as part of play, games, sports, work, transportation, recreation, physical education, or planned exercise in the context of family, school, and community activities. (continued)

Who’s Responsible? (continued) Who has primary responsibility for promoting, developing, implementing, and evaluating youth, adolescent, and adult physical activity within your community? What are the assets in your community that can be directed toward these processes? Using the guidelines discussed in class, design a community-based program that gets inactive citizens to be active or inadequately active citizens to be more active. Be creative!