Active8

Why?

The Active8 program was created through a desire to motive and inspire adults and children throughout Scotland to become more active in their day to day life.

Exercise is one of the best ways to improve not only your physical health but also your mental state of mind. By enhancing your personal fitness levels, you can decrease the risks of health problems relating to depression, anxiety, heart problems, and cancer.

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NHS UK in 2019 identified that obesity is a widespread challenge in the UK that is approximately affecting 1 in every 4 adults and 1 in every 5 children aged 10-11.

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Public Health Scotland reported that citizens living within a lower socio-economic zone are more likely to be associated with greater levels of obesity. Predominantly women and children living within areas of deprivation are affected by more severe obesity. Adults living within the most disadvantaged areas are 12% more likely to be obese compared to those living in the least deprived areas (Health Scotland, 2019).

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The Scottish Government are acting on a strategy to tackle childhood obesity which includes reducing the amount of promotions for food that are high in fat, sugar, and salt. They also want to support the younger generation and their families to achieve a healthy weight (Government Scotland 2018).

For example, NHS Forth Valley reported that more than 6,000* adults in Forth Valley were overweight which we tried to assist in 2019 and 2020 with the creation of our Active8 Forth Valley centre which aimed to play a part by supporting over 60 clients weekly over the course of 4 months completely free of charge.

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The most recent Scottish Government reports outline that 65% of the public in Scotland over the age of 16 were overweight and a further 29% were seen as obese. Active8 Summerston is a project that aims to play a part in reducing obesity within the North Glasgow area for adults and children, while having fun.