ICSSPE Advocates for Physical Activity in Childhood

ICSSPE participates in the Excellence in Paediatrics Conference in Doha, Qatar.

The "Excellence in Paediatrics" Institute organised its annual conference from 4 to 7 December 2013 in Qatar. An ICSSPE delegation, including ICSSPE President Margaret Talbot and Executive Director Detlef Dumon, attended the conference to share knowledge about physical activity in health promotion. Delegations included specialists from the medical health, the physical activity and the nutrition sectors. An Active Healthy Living Summit, integrated to the conference and aimed at promoting physical activity, was held on December 6th.

On December 7th,  Talbot and Dumon participated in a Round Table entitled "Physical Activity in Childhood". Dumon noted that there is still significant work to do, especially for smaller children: "Focusing on Primary School physical education is very important and we must insist on its development. But at that age, it's already very late in a way. More support is needed for the Kindergarten level." Margaret Talbot also pointed out that there are particular health challenges for children in the Gulf countries, directly caused by inactivity, related to climate and lifestyle.

Working towards multi-disciplinary collaborations will remain a central part of ICSSPE's work in 2014. As Margaret Talbot states: "ICSSPE is delighted to be working with a network of paediatricians, especially on positive means of health prevention through physical activity". Further developments will, for example, involve cooperation with ICSSPE's member and partner, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Excellence in Paediatrics 2013 conference website: http://2013.excellence-in-paediatrics.org/ Active Healthy Living Summit website: http://pearl.excellence-in-paediatrics.org/

Robert E. Sallis comments on the Active Healthy Living Summit: http://eip2013highlights.excellence-in-paediatrics.org/Testimonials/i-g9... Manuel Joaquin Castillo comments on the Active Healthy Living Summit: http://eip2013highlights.excellence-in-paediatrics.org/Testimonials/i-zN...