On Move for Health Day, decision-makers agree that intersectoral action to promote physical activity is vital. Representatives of various government sectors throughout Europe are attending a consultation on 9-10 May on promoting physical activity for health, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, and hosted by the Government of Slovenia.
Participants from the health, transport, urban planning, education, leisure, sport, culture and local government sectors will discuss their roles and national experiences. Their conclusions and recommendations will contribute to preparations for the WHO European Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity, to be held in Istanbul in November 2006.
"Encouraging people to be physically active every day has so many health benefits, from reducing the risk of developing certain diseases and becoming obese, to contributing to physical coordination, balance, strength and mental well-being. It is a very cost-effective public health tool," said Dr Marc Danzon, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
New research in Denmark and the United Kingdom indicates that long-term regular physical activity has a quantifiable health benefit, adding between three and five years on average to a person's lifespan, compared to those who take little or no exercise.
In western Europe, over 30% of adults are not sufficiently active and levels of physical activity continue to decline. Globally, physical inactivity causes 2 million deaths a year. It is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and is one of the reasons for the dramatic rise in levels of obesity throughout the WHO European Region.
Technical developments allow people to lead their daily lives with little physical exertion. Too many people embrace these energy-saving developments without compensating with other physical activity.
WHO encourages adults to take at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day, defined as any body movement that results in energy expenditure. This includes walking, cycling, playing, housework, climbing stairs as well as sports. Children should take at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.
Move for Health Day was established in May 2002 as a result of the 55th World Health Assembly resolution on diet, physical activity and health, and is celebrated in many countries on 10 May, as part of wider efforts to promote physical activity as essential for health and well-being. The theme of Move for Health Day 2006 is active communities, focusing on the crucial role local governments and communities play in creating environments that support physical activity.
Further information is available on the WHO headquarters web site (http://www.who.int/moveforhealth/en/ and Http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/en/).
In response to the obesity epidemic in Europe and to facilitate Region-wide action, the WHO Regional Office for Europe is organizing a Ministerial Conference on Counteracting Obesity, with the European Commission as a principal partner. It aims to place the problem high on public health and political agendas, in order to foster greater awareness and high-level political commitment to action and to promote international and intersectoral partnerships.
The Conference, hosted by the Turkish Government, will take place in Istanbul on 15-17 November 2006. The Regional Office expects participation from intersectoral delegations led by health ministries from all the Member States of the European Region, as well as representatives of international and nongovernmental organizations, experts, observers and the media. The Conference is expected to result in Member States adopting a European charter on counteracting obesity that will serve as political guidance for strengthening action on obesity in the Region.
Further information is available on the Regional Office web site (http://www.euro.who.int/obesity).
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
Mr Roar Blom
Technical Officer, Physical Activity and Health
WHO
Regional Office for Europe
Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø,
Denmark
Tel.: +45 39 17 13 64. Fax: +45 39 17 18 80
E-mail: RBL@euro.who.int
PRESS INFORMATION:
Ms Liuba Negru
Press and Media Relations Officer
WHO Regional Office
for Europe
Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 39 17
13 44. Fax: +45 39 17 18 80
E-mail: LNE@euro.who.int
Ms Faith Kilford
Conference Communications Officer
WHO Regional Office
for Europe
Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 39 17
15 50. Fax: +45 39 17 18 18
E-mail: FKI@euro.who.int