Successful World Day of Physical Activity

The World Health Organisation rates physical inactivity as the fourth leading cause of death in the world, with 3.2 million deaths recorded each year.  Most of these occur in middle and low income countries.

To try and address this situation, the World Day for Physical Activity was celebrated on 6 April, 2012 and included over 1000 events over five continents. Like previous years, the day was coordinated by the Global Agita Mundo Network.

The main theme for 2012 was Together for an Active and Happy Life!  According to the initiator and ICSSPE Vice President Victor Matsudo, important events were held in Canada, the United States of America, Cuba, Costa Rica, Spain, Colombia, South Africa, Dubai, Portugal and Japan. In Argentina, the Ministry of Health launched an official Manual to Promote Physical Activity while in Sao Paulo, Brazil, over 12 thousand people participated in a colorful Walking Parade.