Norman Lamb backs heart campaign and urges over 50s to "get physical"

12.21.23pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st May 2007

Norman Lamb has given his backing to a British Heart Foundation (BHF) poster campaign urging people over 50 to be physically active for the sake of their health.

The MP for North Norfolk gave the thumbs up to the heart charity's 30 a Day campaign, after meeting with the BHF at an event in the House of Commons. The campaign encourages adults to be physically active for 30 minutes every day.

Norman Lamb said:

"This is a fun campaign with an important message. Getting fit doesn't have to mean sweating it out at an expensive gym - we can get our 30 a Day in all sorts of free and every-day ways. Things like vacuum cleaning or walking to the local shops are great ways to fit exercise in to our busy daily lives."

"Thirty minutes of physical activity each day goes a long way towards maintaining a healthy, independent later life."

A YouGov poll for the BHF's campaign shows that people give a range of explanations for their inactivity. Money was the top reason, with more than one in three people in the UK saying they would do more exercise if activities were cheaper. At present just 30% of people over 50 in the UK get their 30 a Day.

The survey also found 37% of people asked in the East of England would be more physically active if they had more time.

At the House of Commons event, Norman Lamb MP heard experts talk about key statistics and the importance of physical activity in our ageing population.

• People are urged to visit the campaign website, bhf.org.uk/30aday for practical, fun ways to be physically active, or to order a free campaign booklet by calling 0808 156 5630.