Some say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required.

Public

health

is a growing concern, with many countries reporting increasing levels of obesity. Some believe the problem can be addressed by adding more sports facilities, while others think

this

may not be enough. A closer look at the problem will help in assessing these views. Adding sports facilities would certainly be an attractive idea to some.

However

,

this

proposal does assume that the main reason people are unhealthy is that they

lack

access to

such

facilities. In reality, many public

health

issues occur due to a combination of factors, and a

lack

of exercise is only one of these. Among other key factors are poor diet, work stress, and a

lack

of

time

to address them.

Furthermore

, sophisticated equipment is not essential for getting fit; walking or running in the streets would

also

achieve

this

.

Thus

, if a

lack

of facilities is not responsible for current

health

problems, simply adding more will not solve them. Clearly, other measures are required to improve public

health

. If people

lack

the

time

to take care of themselves,

then

we need to find a way to address

this

.

This

means that, as a society, we need to encourage the idea that taking

time

out from the pressures of work has

health

benefits. In

this

way, not only will work stress be reduced, but people will

also

have more

time

to exercise. The issue of diet can be tackled by persuading people to cook nutritious meals themselves rather than choosing a faster alternative.

Nevertheless

, these solutions will take

time

and, for those who cannot reduce their working hours, are likely to be ineffective. Seemingly, when it comes to solving complex

health

problems, there is no simple solution. In conclusion, in my view, giving

time

-poor people greater access to sports facilities will not be effective and is too simplistic a solution. Other measures are clearly required, but any action taken to improve public

health

requires a change in lifestyle, and

this

needs the cooperation of everyone involved.