Active Living Programme
The recognition that physical activity is an important ingredient of good health has identified that a low dose of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily —or 150 minutes of MFA a week- promotes health, though it will not suffice to defeat obesity. But this is another matter.
The important issue is that the stated recommendation (walking, biking, climbing stairs etc.) can be achieved while performing our daily routines. In fact, nearly 2/3 of physically active people in the developing world, particularly in Africa achieve this status walking for utilitarian purposes in their cities. This is great news as it converges with the policies of sustainable development and active transportation (e.g. walking, biking and transit use).
We are actively working to create synergies with the transportation sector and city planning to advance the principles and practice of urban sustainable development which includes, compact urban growth, less use of private cars and greater reliance on transit. That approach to the city will produce three concrete outcomes: improve people’s health, enhance quality of life and prevent climate change problems.
References
Sarmiento OL, Torres A, Jacoby E, Pratt M, Schmid T and Stierling G.
The Ciclovía-recreativa: A mass recreational program with public health potential. J Physical Activity and Diet.
Cervero R, Sarmiento OL, Jacoby E, Gómez LF, Neiman A.
Influences of built environments on walking and cycling: lessons from Bogotá. Int J Sustain Transp 2009;3:203—26.
Parra D, Sarmiento OL,Gómez L.; Schmid L. Thomas; Mosquera J; Pratt Michael, Jacoby E; Neiman A. Quality of Life and Physical Activity in Bogotá: Does the Domain Matter? Am Pub Health A 135th Annual Meeting and Expo, November 3-7, 2007, Washington, D.C. Abstract # 148454.