1. Naturally Active for Life
Victoria County Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Strategy
Naturally Active for Life

2. What we will cover Who we are What we do Why this is important Results
How resources were allocated
What's next?

3. Who are we? Communities in Victoria County Victoria County Council
Naturally Active Partnership: Key stakeholders from Local, Municipal, First Nations, Provincial and Federal organizations
Victoria County Action Network: Community Leaders and Organizations that support development and implementation
Physical Activity Strategy Coordinator
See handouts

4. Victoria County Population
2016 (Census Canada) 7089
Total 7115
Age 40 yrs % (4305/7115)
2011 Within that 40+ age group, 55.6% aged (2395/4305)

5. Victoria County Low population density: 2.5 people/ sq. km
Land Mass just under 3000 square km.
The best nature!
“Naturally Connected” and “Naturally Active for Life”

6. Who are we? Communities who are changing Vibrant and resourceful
Rural with small spread out population (2.5 people KM2)
Geography ( 2858 KM2) and weather
Older population
Declining population

7. Why this is important?
Physical activity and healthy eating: Key to health and well being
Inactivity, stress, obesity are factors that influence poor health
There is strong, emerging evidence that regular exposure to nature and being active in nature has +++ benefits
Victoria County: Strength is our natural environment

8. What we do Increase awareness and information
Strengthen and build partnerships and networks
Support programs and activities
Strengthen and develop infrastructure (Skills, resources)
Build healthy policy
Monitor and measure outcomes
Realign and implement

9. Results Programs that focus on Children and Youth
Try It and Introductory programs: Stand Up Paddle Board, Kayak, Square Dancing, Cooking, Gardening, Skiing, Snowshoeing, etc
Access to schools: Community Wellness Rooms
Winter equipment loan
Grants that support physical activity/healthy eating
Leadership and skill development training/funding
Workplace Wellness programs
4-Season focus
Active in nature emphasis
See handouts that list recent programs

10. Results Facility access assistance and support (See handout)
Community Festivals and Events support
Themed promotions: Summer Active, Take the Roof off Winter, etc
Infrastructure: Multi use outdoor pads, trails support and development
Policy: Use of public and community facilities Active Healthy Eating in Facilities policy development

11. Results: Survey of Residents
2015 commissioned by NS Health-Active Living Branch
Provincial with sufficient sampling for Victoria County
Sampling aligned with demographic profile
Adults 18 yrs and older;
Self-reported activity
Require current data for under 15 yrs
49% report they are active 5 days/week (Males 57%; Females 41%)
22% reported they increased physical activity
48% reported their activity remained the same
29% reported that their activity levels decreased
Active “30 minutes day”
Conducted by company called Nova Insights

12. Results: Survey of Residents
Those (22%) who increased their activity were more likely to be:
Female
Between yrs old

13. Results: Survey of Residents
49% Residents: Active for 30 minutes or more 4.1/7 days a week
Most common activities: Walking and Active Household tasks
Top activities ones that allow for individual scheduling
Females more likely to identify active household tasks and Yoga
Older adults top activities are household tasks
Younger adults more likely to have running or jogging
Overall results
?Add activity recommendation for adults

14. Results: Survey of Residents
Activity Wish List
Most reported they'd like to be able to walk more (28%)
Females more likely to report they'd like to walk more
Those 60 yrs + more likely to want to walk more
Second choice was to swim more
Those who said they’d like to swim more were more likely to be male or over the age of 40
Those under 39 yrs more likely to say they want to run/jog more

15. Results: Survey of Residents
Satisfaction
Adults generally satisfied with being active at home indoors and outdoors and at beaches, rivers and lakes
Some 14% said everything was fine now
Adults expressed lower satisfaction with fitness centres, schools, pools and sports fields
Adults identified they would increase activity at nature spaces such as trails, paths or parks if these were more available
Adults identified more or new infrastructure (53%) as way to increase activity
Adults identified more programs as a way to increase activity (22%)

16. Results: Survey of Residents
Challenges to participating in physical activity
Infrastructure 86%
Social 79%
Time 57%
Attitude and interest 48%
Security 46%
Skills/instruction 44%
Communication and information 35%
Health and mobility (31% and 26%)
Cost 22%

17. Those who reported decreased activity levels (29%)
Are similar in age to overall sample and to those who reported same activity levels
Were much more likely to report that health reasons were a barrier
Were less frequently active (3 days compared with 4.1 days)
Identified top barrier as not having someone to be active with
Are the most likely to say they’d like to walk more often
Say they would participate in their activity wish list if infrastructure was available
Those who reported decreased physical activity levels said they were active for 30 min or more 3 days/week compared with overall response of being active for 30 minutes or more 4.1 days/week
Infrasturcture identified better roadsides and trails and paths

18. How resources are allocated
Budget amounts for years 2011 to ranged from $47,610 to $169,240.
In , budgeted amount was greater due to CB Connect and Physical Activity Summit
Budget amounts for programs, services and events has varied since New programs were added some years
Opportunity to review resource allocation to ensure alignment with population profile and residents’ feedback

19. What's next? Opportunities
Infrastructure:
Adults expressed lower satisfaction with fitness centres, schools, pools and sports fields
Adults identified they would increase activity at nature spaces such as trails, paths or parks if these were more available
Adults identified more or new infrastructure (53%) as way to increase activity

20. What’s next? Opportunities
PROGRAMS
Improve alignment between population profile and programs
Align program development with Rural Chronic Disease Committee on what works well for people with chronic health issues
Provide support and education about safe activities for those with health challenges
Build networks so that those with health issues can be active with others
Develop skills and leadership for physical activity for those with health challenges
60.5% of population is aged 40 years and older

21. System Supports: Partnerships, Networks, Funding and Policy
Tweak strategy
Refocus using evidence
Consider partnerships and networks: Priorities, Roles and membership
Review and align budget
Measure and act on results (need data for under 15 Yrs)
What else?

22. What’s next? Policy Safer places to walk
Approach to support activity for those with health challenges
Access to schools
Infrastructure for paths and trails
Strategies take time: measurable change can take 10 yrs
Renew strategy
What else?

23. Questions? Suggestions?

24. Results: Survey of Residents
Top reasons for participating physical activity
Health, exercise 57%
Fun and enjoyment 31%
Feel better, relieve stress, mental health 26%

25. Results: Survey of Residents
When asked what were general challenges people faced in becoming more active
Bicycle lanes and walking space/lane
Someone to go with or not enough family activities
Hard to fit activity into daily routine
Not enough spaces in my community
Programs not of interest to me
Safety concerns bicycle riding
Difficult to find info about what is available

26. Naturally Active for Life Partnership
Victoria County
NS Dept Communities, Culture and Heritage
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board
Heart & Stroke Foundation
Parks Canada
Wagmatcook
‎NS Transportation Infrastructure & Renewal
NS Environment
Biosphere Reserve

27. Victoria County Action Network
Reports to Partnership
Leads work in communities across Victoria County
Members are community leaders
Members from organizations who support activity and healthy eating through programs, funding and policy
See handout for members