BCHS-Health-Promotion-Strategic-Plan-2025-2029 - Flipbook - Page 8
Increase Active Living
Evidence and rationale
Physical inactivity is a major modifiable risk factor for lifelong health and wellbeing. Within the
CoGB, there are higher rates of obesity and chronic disease than the Victorian average (CoGB,
2021). Adequate physical activity prevents weight gain, promotes weight loss (in conjunction with
a low-calorie diet) and in the elderly promotes cognitive function and reduces falls. Inadequate
physical activity increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancers, osteoporosis, polycystic
ovary syndrome (PCOS), depression, anxiety, obesity and many other conditions. (Women’s
Health Victoria, 2025).
Population physical activity is influenced by determinants across multiple levels, from individual
and interpersonal to organisational, environmental and policy. The promotion of physical activity
at a community level have seen greatest success when addressing multilevel influences using
mixes of coordinated approaches. Program design based in systems thinking enable
identification of the barriers, assets and influences specific to the community at the centre of the
program and facilitate coordinated action and partnerships between agencies to modify them
(APPC, 2021).
Actions to improve active living
Goal: People living in the City of Greater Bendigo to experience the best health and wellbeing
possible
Objectives:
Promote movement and reduce sitting time in workplaces, schools, at home and during
leisure time.
Increase participation in sport and active recreation, with a focus on CoGB residents who
face barriers to participation
Programs:
Walking Groups
Fit and Fun
Active schools
Free and Fee physical activity
resource
Physical activity for the Afghan and
Karen community focusing on those
at risk of or with Type 2 diabetes.
Support the use of Public Transport
with Karen and Dari community
Settings
Primary and secondary schools,
Community groups,
Workplaces,
Community organisations
Neighbourhood centres
Health providers and health services.
