Ghanaians urged to promote active lifestyles to reduce non-communicable diseases

PATH, the Ghana National Olympic Committee, and the International Olympic Committee celebrated International Olympic Day at Afigya Kwabre South District in Kumasi through their Olympism365 program.

With more than 40 years of experience forming multisector partnerships and expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other fields, PATH is a global non-profit organization committed to achieving health equity. PATH develops and scales up novel solutions to the most urgent health challenges facing the globe.

This falls under the umbrella of the Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative, which aims to reduce the global prevalence of physical inactivity by 15% relative to the World Health Organization’s target and highlight the role that community sport plays in encouraging healthy lifestyles.

With the theme, “Lets move to advocate for increased physical activity and contribute to the reduction of non-communicable diseases in Ghana.”

Speaking in an interview with Dr Robert Yeboah, Senior Technical Advisor, Non-Communicable Disease,PATH Ghana, he said that this year’s theme is aiming to inspire people around various communities to make time for daily physical activity.

“This program implemented by PATH in Ghana will serve as the delivery lead for the Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative, which will focus on the role of community sport in promoting healthy lives and achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) target of a 15 percent relative reduction in the global prevalence of physical inactivity,” he said.

Dr. Robert added that the program will also help to reduce non communicable which continues to burden health systems, with insufficiently active individuals facing a 20% to 30% increased risk of premature death.

”With regular physical activity helping to prevent noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle cannot be over-emphasized” he added.

“Research has shown that just 30 minutes of physical activity or exercise a day has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds.”

In Ghana, 81% of teenagers and 22% of adults over the age of 18 do not engage in physical activity, according to the WHO.

One of the primary risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease, and several malignancies, is physical inactivity.

Sunday Special Fitness groups, Onuado Fun, Moving City Fun Club, and other groups from the Afigya Kwabre District marked the occasion with their presence in the program.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Akwadaa Nyame