Student Physical Activity Behaviour – Executive Summary

Physical activity is now recognised world wide as an important contributor to general health and well being of the population as a whole, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity.
The lack of physical activity is a major cause of death, disease and disability…more than two million deaths each year are attributable to physical inactivity
World Health Organisation 2002
Exercise is advocated even for those of apparently good health as a means of preventing ill health and promoting positive mental well being (Bird, 1999). The role of physical activity had become a focus of recent government reports (Wanless, 2004) and white papers (Choosing Health, 2005; At least 5 a Week, 2004).