Promotion of Physical Activity and

Prevention of Childhood Obesity

Dr. Richard VisserMinister of Health & Sports of Aruba

3,952 School Children from 6 to 11 years old were studied.

Results found 36% were overweight, of which 25% were obese.

637 Adolescents were studied from ages 12 – 18.

Results found 41% were overweight, of which 21% were obese.

1,845 adults were studied.

Results found 81% overweight, of which 51% were obese.

A sedentary lifestyle was a factor in50% of adolescents and 61% in adults.

Being overweight increased in adolescents from 36% to 41% and in adults from 76% to 81% in less than six years.

The number of people doing moderate and intense physical activity in recent years increased steadily from 9% in 2006 to 39% in 2012.

Increase in walking and running for (5k & 10k & 21k) events

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 20117832 13703 16498 20652 20544 20312 20426 20357

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 80

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

NUM

BER

OF

PART

ICIP

ANTS

The promotion of physical activity and the prevention of childhood obesity requires increasing the perception.

This can only be made

possible if people recognize childhood obesity

as a disease.Its prevention entails physical activity and balanced nutrition, through the complex process of perception of

the problem and the motivation to prevent it.

Stakeholders must be motivated with specific stimulus to multi-sectorial and multi-level actions in aspects of agriculture, industry,

trade, infrastructure, legislation and media, among others.

Specific Platform is necessary to do it.