Physical activity strategy for the WHO European Region 2016–2025

Dr Gauden GaleaDr João Breda

Physical inactivity as a major risk factor • Worldwide, physical inactivity causes

6–10% NCDs (CHD, diabetes, breast and colon cancer)*

• Physical inactivity causes 9% premature mortality*

• In Europe, estimates indicate that more than one third of adults are insufficiently active**

*Lee IM & al. 2012; **Hallal PC & al. 2012

ITADNK

FRA

CHERUS

PRTSW

EEST GRC

NOR ISR ISL LTU

DEU BELTUR

MLT NLD HUNROM SV

NLV

APOL

HRVGBR

LUX

SVK

ESP UKRMKD FIN CZE

ARM AUTBGR IRL

0

10

20

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60

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1002010

%

Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among school-going adolescents

Global Health Observatory Data Repository. Geneva: World Health Organization (http://apps.who.int/gho/data/view.main.2463ADO?lang=en, accessed 1 May 2015). No data for ALB, AND, AZE, BLR, BIH, CYP, GEO, KAZ, KGZ, MNE, MDA, SMR, SRB, TJK, TKM, UZB

MissionTo inspire governments and stakeholders to work towards increasing physical activity for all:• promoting physical activity• enabling environment • equal opportunities • removing barriers

Guiding principles• Reduce inequities• Promote a life-course approach• Empower people and communities • Promote integrated, multisectoral,

sustainable and partnership-based approaches

• Ensure adaptability of physical activity programmes

• Use evidence-based strategies

5 Priority areas1. Providing leadership and

coordination 2. Supporting child and adolescent

development3. Promoting physical activity for

all adults as part of daily life4. Promoting physical activity

among older people5. Monitoring, surveillance, tools,

enabling platforms, evaluation and research

Key highlights• Coordinating mechanisms • Promote alliances • Pregnancy, early childhood, preschools and schools,

recreational • Car traffic, walking and cycling suitability• Counselling, prevention, treatment and

rehabilitation• Access for vulnerable groups, advice to older people• Infrastructure and environment for older people• Involve older people in social physical activity• Strengthen surveillance systems and

evidence base