Physical activity

Physical activity

The physical demands associated with daily activity have decreased considerably during the 20th century, particularly in industrialized countries, and Aboriginal populations living in these regions have not been spared from this phenomenon. Thus, as is the case for the rest of the population, leisure time physical activity has become an important avenue for maintaining a desirable level of physical activity.

The vast majority of the Nunavik population, especially women, is sedentary during their free time, and this is true regardless of age for both genders (15-17 years: 59% and 18 years and over: 69%). Less than one person in seven (14%) among those aged 15 to 17 years, and one out of five (18%) among people aged 18 years and over, achieve the recommended level of physical activity through leisure time physical activity. This situation, in large part associated with the significant cultural and climatic differences between this pop…

No nation today is immune from the obesity epidemic. Developing an action plan, a national strategy, policies and programs to manage the epidemic and prevent its progression is a major concern worldwide. While a number of World Health Organisation (WHO) reports published over the past few decades helped prompt member States to coordinate nutrition plans, the WHO’s Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health released in 2004 strengthens government action on obesity. Governmental action on obesity and/or its main determinants, nutrition and exercise is very broad in scope, has several targets for action, involves many actors and is outlined in large reports.

At the 2006 Québec Annual Public Health Conference (Journées annuelles de santé publique or JASP), held in Montréal, Québec, Canada, a symposium focuses on the elements included in an effective obesity-prevention government plan. Plans, programs, strategies and policies adopted in over a dozen Western countries a…