FOSTERING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING CHILDHOOD: A GOVERNMENT SECTOR EXPERIENCE

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2017-10, Vol.71 (Suppl. 2), p.1256
• Main Authors: Antún, María Cecilia, Escasany, María, Laura Casagrande Soria, María, Ferrari, María Florencia, Gonzalez, Veronica, De Ruggiero, Marina, Di Paola, Melina, Eisenberg, María Paula, Mirri, María Eugenia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Childhood; Children; Children & youth; Critical period; Eating behavior; Exercise; Mental disorders; Mental health; Nutrition; Physical activity; Promotion; Quality of life; Recesses; Recreational goods; Schools; Teachers
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000480486

Background and objectives: Physical activity (PA) has multiple benefits for physical and mental health in children, as well as a positive impact during adult life. Childhood is a critical period for the development of healthy habits; therefore, promotion of PA in this stage is essential. Since 2012, the Directorate-General of Health Development of the Deputy Mayor's Office of the Buenos Aires City Government has implemented, as part of its Health Stations (HS) and My Healthy School (MHS) programs, diverse strategies for fostering PA in child population. The object of this work is to describe those strategies. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Results: The Recess In Movement Project (RIM) is an initiative of the MHS program, its goal being the promotion of PA during school recesses. For this purpose, a team of PA professors assist the establishment in the implementation of a series of actions. Furthermore, recreational equipment is provided, and older students and teachers are trained as for the continuity of the project. This strategy has had the participation of 100 schools and 22 342 children, and 2 694 children and 179 teachers were trained. Moreover, Game Zones have been implemented within the HS setting. They consist of an educational recreational space where PA is fostered and bonds with other children and their families are encouraged. Individual and collective active games are offered, and child population healthy eating issues are tackled. PA professors specially trained in healthy eating notions are in charge of the activities. To date, 26 017 children have participated. Conclusions: Both strategies attempt to encourage the acquisition of healthy lifestyles commencing in childhood, in the hope that this behavior will endure in adult life and contribute to improving the quality of life and health of the population.