'Move for health' walk attracts 100
About 100 people, varying in age between six and 82 years, showed up last Saturday afternoon for a seven kilometre walk from Wardija ta' San Gorg to St Nicholas Square, Siggiewi, organised by the Health Promotion Department to mark this year's Move for...
About 100 people, varying in age between six and 82 years, showed up last Saturday afternoon for a seven kilometre walk from Wardija ta' San Gorg to St Nicholas Square, Siggiewi, organised by the Health Promotion Department to mark this year's Move for Health Day, a WHO global initiative.
To ensure public safety, the Red Cross Society provided first aid and ambulance services throughout the walk. Participants were provided with San Michel bottled water by Farsons Ltd and Uriage sun block creams (SFP 90) by Biorga.
Leaflets and stickers about the health benefits of physical activity were also distributed to participants to encourage an active and healthier lifestyle.
Lack of physical activity has been recognised by health professionals and listed in the World Health Report (2002) as one of the main risks contributing to global morbidity and mortality from noncommunicable diseases.
At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, preferably daily, is recommended by the WHO .
Results from the recent National Health Interview Survey carried out in March, 2003 revealed that only 14.1 per cent of survey participants engage in regular moderate to vigorous activity such as jogging or cycling at least once a week.