|  | Partners and Events | No.53 May 2008 |
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Agita Mundo Network |
The purpose of the Agita Mundo Network is to promote physical activity as a healthy behaviour for people all around the world. The Agita Mundo Network stimulates research, encourages the dissemination of information on the health benefits of physical activity and effective strategies to increase physical activity, advocates for physical activity and health, and support the development of national and local programmes and networks for physical activity promotion. World Day for Physical Activity In April 2002, WHO introduced World Health Day in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with the theme “Physical Activity.” Every year since, on April 6th people all over the world celebrate World Health Day. In 2008, the central theme will be “Breaking Down Barriers to Movement”. In Brazil, celebrations will include the Agita Mundo Walk at the Paulista Avenue, one of the most important streets of the country. The network encourages all partners to organise events in celebration of World Health Day. In previous years, more than six thousand events took place around the world. In 2007, for example, more than a million people joined celebrations in 65 cities across 27 countries. In Brazil alone, more than 470 events took place in 80 cities. Specific Objectives of the Agita Mundo Network Advocate for physical activity and health through an annual Move for Health Day, other community based and community wide events, and informing policy makers of the importance of physical activity to public policy. Widely disseminate a clear, simple and consistently delivered message on the health and social benefits of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Stimulate the creation of regional and international networks for physical activity promotion and provide linkages between these networks. Promote and disseminate about innovative approaches to develop alliances around the world to promote physical activity and good health. Share good practices and effective strategies and programmes through websites, meetings, workshops and publications. How was Agita Mundo born? An active lifestyle can help promote health, control body weight, improve tolerance to glucose, bone mineral density and cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. Besides physiological benefits of physical activity can also contribute to the psychological health by increasing the self-esteem, body appearance, welfare, mental agility, reduce the sense of loneliness, stress, anxiety and depression. Physical inactivity is a risk factor in a large number of illnesses including cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, hypertension and depression which are together rising in incidence and placing great burdens on health care systems across the world. In response the high cost of inactivity, the World Assembly of WHO approved in 2002 a World Day of Physical Activity „Move for health“. Every year this day promotes physical activity as an essential strategy for health and well-being, and also calls for the development of a Global Strategy on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health for the prevention and control of chronic diseases. A number of initiatives have been introduced at local, regional, national and continental levels and these include for example: Agita Sao Paulo, Agita Brazil, Active Australia, Muevete Bogota; Risaralda Active; Muevete Pues; The Moverse Argentina, Uruguay in Motion; Movement in Venezuela; Muevete Panama, Chile Life. International scientific institutions such as WHO, PAHO, ACSM, FIMS, COPAMEDE, among others, have developed a declaration to promote regular physical activity as an important strategy for the promotion of health. A group of national and international institutions met at the 25th International Symposium on Sports Sciences in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and agreed that an independent organisation was needed to stimulate the global promotion of physical activity and coordinate the „Move for Health“ Day. The institutions gathered strongly recommend the formation of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the promotion of physical activity for the achievement of these goals. With this in mind, the Agita Mundo Network was developed to promote physical activity as a healthy behaviour for people of all ages, nations and characteristics. International Courses and Meetings The Agita Mundo Network together with the Physical Activity Network for Americas / Red de Actividad Fisica de las Americas (PANA/RAFA) promote the Agita Mundo International Course of Physical Activity and Public Health to disseminate information to leaders in the promotion of physical activity and public health in countries all around the world. In 2007 the networks celebrated 10 courses in Guatemala and the tenth edition was celebrated by the CDC. Every October at the traditional International Symposium on Sports Sciences developed by CELAFISCS in Brazil, the Network meets to discuss strategic points related to building the global agenda to promote physical activity, creating a manifesto on how to work with the private sector along with discussions and planning for World Health Day. Become a partner! Join to the Agita Mundo Network and help to promote the benefits of the physical activity for people in your institution, city and country. Celebrate with us every year the “World Day for Physical Activity” - Agita Mundo! For more information and to join the Agita Mundo Network, visit the official website www.agitamundo.org http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 Agita Mundo Network