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> World Health Day 2002
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World Health Day "I propose that the theme for World Health Day 2002 [be] Fit for Health. This will give particular visibility to ways in which individuals and communities can influence their own health and well-being." Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland For further details visit: http://www.who.int/world-health-day/index.en.shtml What do you need to know about physical activity? 1. Why is physical activity so important for my health?? 2. What do you mean by "physical activity"? 3. Is little activity really a global public health problem? Aren't there more important health priorities, especially in poor countries? About World Health Day Through the World Health Day (WHD) process, WHO is seeking to stimulate a global health debate on the epidemiological shift in the global burden of disease and the factors that are fuelling this process of change. In most parts of the world, non-communicable diseases have become a major epidemic. This is due, in part, to a rapid transition in lifestyles leading to reduced physical activity, changing diets and increased tobacco use. This trend is present in all societies, rich and poor, developed and developing.? Poverty, violence, rapid social and economic changes, lack of education, inadequate or total absence of health services, and a lack of clear policy direction, contribute as much to the increase in cases of cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases, as they do to AIDS and malaria. WHO believes that this is the time for the global debate to be directed as much towards prevention as to cure. With an increased focus on prevention, the entire public health community stands to gain. A major cause of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity is lack of physical activity.? WHO estimates that lack of activity leads to more than 2 million deaths per year. It is likely that one-third of cancers can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet, normal weight and physical activity throughout one's life. A combination of improper diet, lack of physical activity and tobacco use are estimated to be the cause of up to 80% of premature coronary heart disease. In countries as diverse as China, Finland and the US, studies have shown that even relatively modest lifestyle changes are sufficient to prevent the development of almost 60% of type 2 diabetes cases. To draw the attention of policy makers, the public health community and civil society to these issues, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the World Health Organization, has announced that WHD 2002 will emphasize the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. The need for, and the beneficial effects of, physical activity will be the theme of WHD activities worldwide. Physical activity can be a practical means to achieve numerous health gains, both directly or indirectly. It can bring down rates of violence among young people, promote tobacco-free lifestyles, and decrease other risky behaviours, such as unsafe sex or illicit drug use. It can also reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness among the elderly and improve their physical and mental agility. WHD will involve multiple settings--from schools to worksites, stadia to urban neighbourhoods. The international sports fraternity, represented by the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is already linked with WHO's efforts, turning the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea, and the Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City into tobacco-free, health-promoting events. The main venue for WHD 2002 will be S?o Paulo, Brazil, highlighting the successful model of AGITA SAO PAULO. Under this umbrella, numerous organizations have already been able to mobilize great numbers of both young and old "moving for their health". This model has also inspired the slogan for WHD 2002: "AGITA MUNDO - Move for Health".? Cities, towns and municipalities are encouraged to join in this WHD movement towards healthy living by organizing their own events. The NMH cluster, under the direction of Executive Director Dr Derek Yach, together with Dr Pekka Puska, Director, NCD Prevention and Health Promotion, and Mrs Chitra Subramaniam-Duella, Coordinator, Policy Analysis and Communications, will lead this global effort with WHO-wide contributions. The Coordinator of WHD 2002 is Mrs Elena Subirats. She is the focal point for all contacts with the regions and external partners. Q: Why is physical activity so important for my health?? A: Regular moderate physical activity is one of the easiest ways to improve and maintain your health.? It has the potential to prevent and control certain diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. Being physically active increases your energy level, helps to reduce stress and lowers unhealthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure. It also lowers your risk of some cancers, especially colon cancer. Regular active play promotes healthy growth and development in children and young people. It increases confidence, self-esteem and feelings of achievement, older adults benefit from both life-long habits or newly learned routines of physical activity. It is important for healthy ageing, improving and maintaining quality of life and independence.? Daily physical activity helps people with disabilities by improving mobility and increasing energy levels. It can also prevent or reduce certain disabilities. Q: What do you mean by "physical activity"?? A: Physical activity is any body movement that results in an expenditure of energy (burning calories). Simply put, moving! When you walk briskly, play, skate, clean house, dance, or climb stairs, you are moving for health. Q:Is sedentary lifestyle really a global public health problem? Aren't there more important health priorities, especially in poor countries?? A: The lack of physical activity is a major underlying cause of death, disease, and disability. Preliminary data from a WHO study on risk factors suggest that inactivity, or sedentary lifestyle, is one of the 10leading global causes of death and disability.? More than two million deaths each year are attributable to physical inactivity. In countries around the world between 60% and 85% of adults are simply not active enough to benefit their health.? Sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and substantially increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety. In the rapidly growing cities of the developing world, crowding, poverty, crime, traffic, poor air quality, a lack of parks, sidewalks, sports and recreation facilities and other safe areas make physical activity a difficult choice.? For example, in S?o Paulo, Brazil, 70% of the population is inactive. Even in rural areas of developing countries sedentary pastimes such as watching television are increasingly popular.?? In addition to other lifestyle changes, the consequences are growing levels of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.? Low- and middle-income countries suffer the greatest impact from these and other non-communicable diseases - 77% of the total number of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases occurs in developing countries. These diseases are on the rise. They will have an increasingly severe effect on health care systems, resources, and economies in countries around the world. Many countries that are already struggling to manage the impact of infectious diseases and other development challenges will be forced to spend their meagre resources dealing with non-communicable diseases. Q: How much physical activity do I need in order to improve and maintain my health? A: Any amount of physical activity will make you feel better. The minimum amount of physical activity required for the prevention of disease is about 30 minutes of moderate activity, every day. For those who count calories, this translates into about 150 calories per day. However, you can move for health without calculating calories. The formula is simple: at least half an hour of moderate physical activity over the course of each day. This can mean getting off the bus two stops early on the way to work, for a 20 minute walk and then one stop early on the way home for another 10 minutes of walking. Ten minutes of cleaning house twice a day plus 10 minutes of cycling. A 30 minute basketball game or a dance with your brothers, sisters, friends, or children.? If you're new to physical activity, you can start with a few minutes of activity a day and gradually increase your pace, working your way up to 30 minutes. Remember that half an hour is only the minimum recommendation. Of course, the more time you spend moving for health, the more you gain. The most important thing is to move! Q: What can be done?? A: Most noncommunicable diseases are preventable.? Individual and government action can save lives and livelihoods. Getting physically active is an important step in moving for health. However, physical inactivity is not merely the result of an individual's lifestyle choices. The lack of access to safe open spaces, sports facilities and school playgrounds can make moving difficult, if not sometimes impossible.? Moreover, people's behaviour is influenced by insufficient knowledge about physical activity and its benefits. With insufficient budgets to promote physical activity, governments often fail to educate the public about the risks of sedentary lifestyle. Government policies and programmes can have a great impact on people's ability to influence their own health. In order to promote physical activity, a community should prioritize and develop parks and open spaces, clean air and water, safe and attractive streets and a vibrant public life. This requires the commitment, action and cooperation of health sector as well as other sectors: transport, environment, urban planning and law enforcement.? Many cities and towns have demonstrated that more opportunities to move for health can be created. Riverside avenues in Paris, France, are closed to cars during the summer for walkers, skaters, and bikers. In Bogota, Colombia, a city ordinance allows for the city's main avenue to be closed to automobile traffic every Sunday. The local Red Cross organizes free bicycles loaned to the public throughout the summer in Geneva, Switzerland. Q:What can I do?? A: It's easy, free, fun and virtually anyone can do it&ldots;Brisk walking, biking and dancing are only some ways to be physically active. You can get moving at school, home or work. Take the stairs instead of the elevator (at least for going down!). Do simple stretching exercises while seated at your desk, standing at your post, or talking on the phone.? Walk, run or bike to places where you might have taken a car or a bus otherwise. Many of the activities you can do at home are very useful: wash the windows, paint the walls, vacuum or sweep, rake the yard or cut the grass, walk the dog. You can even do physical activity while watching television: rope skipping, stepping, riding a stationary bicycle, or sit-ups. Or just dance! Your goal is to be active for at least 30 minutes over the course of every day.? Look for information and advice in your neighbourhood, community centres, hospitals or healthcare centres, gyms or sports centres. Benefits of physical activity The health benefits of regular physical activity are many.? At least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, for example brisk walking, is enough to bring many of these effects. However, by increasing the level of activity, the benefits will also increase. Regular physical activity?
We all know that physical activity-taking a walk, riding a bike, dancing or playing-simply makes you feel better.? But regular physical activity brings about many other benefits.? It not only has the potential to improve and maintain good health, but it can also bring with it important social and economic benefits.? Regular physical activity benefits communities and economies in terms of reduced health care costs, increased productivity, better performing schools, lower worker absenteeism and turnover, increased productivity and increased participation in sports and recreational activities.? In many countries, a significant proportion of health spending is due to costs related to lack of physical activity and obesity. Promoting physical activity can be a highly cost-effective and sustainable public health intervention. |
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