PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: CHILDREN FIRSTMore than half of all obese adults live in low- and middle-income countries, but health promotion in these areas has traditionally focused on under-nutrition alone. The World Heart Federation organized a two-day workshop, which ran from 15–16 June, for members and partners who are working to promote healthy lifestyles among children. Participants came to Geneva from around the world to share their experiences and knowledge, which the World Heart Federation will distil into a toolkit of resources to help our members develop effective programmes. Globally an estimated 22 million children under the age of 5 are overweightChildhood obesity is on the rise almost everywhere around the world, and current data and trends are worrying: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2007, an estimated 22 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight throughout the world. More than 75% of overweight and obese children live in low- and middle-income countries. Important risk factors for the development of heart disease, overweight and obesity are serious threats to both public health and economic productivity. Childhood obesity predicts obesity in later adult life, and causes physiological and psychological for the child concerned. Sharing knowledge and best practiceWorkshop participants represented 20 different groups from around the world, representing member organizations from Argentina, Belgium, Ghana, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Norway, Poland, South Africa, and the UK, joining representatives of funders, government programmes, international organizations and NGOs. Topics explored in presentations and break-out sessions included current trends in the problem of obesity, implementing school and community programmes, promoting physical activity, developing funding sources, evaluating impact, and lessons learned. Tim Lobstein from International Association for the study of Obesity (IASO) pinpointed crucial childhood obesity issues, Denise Stevens from the Oxford Health Alliance (OXHA) discussed evaluation methods, Vanessa Candeias shared WHO’s experience in school-based programmes, Patrick Gasser of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) reviewed ways that sporting initiatives can promote physical activity and Sanne Frost Helt from the World Diabetes Foundation offered insight into how to access funding. Lessons learnedParticipants highlighted the need to tailor children’s programmes according to local capacities, environments and cultural expectations. At the same time they identified many common challenges: these included a need for evaluation methods which give findings that can be compared, more funding sources, platforms for exchanging information and best practices, and means of sustainability. Participant input on workshop content was highly positive, and in their evaluation forms members indicated that they will be able to use both the information and the contacts they gained as they develop their own programmes. Gerald Yonga, President of the Kenyan Cardiology Society commented: “Usually when you go abroad to a workshop they tell you what you are supposed to be doing; in this one they asked us what we need in order to do what we feel is important. That was a nice change”. Sharing widely with membersThe World Heart Federation will use workshop content as a basis for a toolkit that will be made available to all members. Workshop presentations and participants’ contact details are available in the members-only area of the website. | |||||||
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