title: Developing a national physical activity plan: the Kuwait example.
abstract: A rapid increase in economic well-being and urbanization in Kuwait have been accompanied by profound changes in lifestyle, including low levels of physical activity in all population groups. These changes have contributed to a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and to the escalation of the non-communicable disease rates, particularly coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes. The evolution of physical activity promotion, internationally, and a series of related meetings in Kuwait and neighboring countries, have started to generate an awareness among health authorities of the importance of physical activity in health promotion and disease prevention. A National Physical Activity Committee has been formed to design and implement a National Physical Activity Plan, which could also serve as a model for other countries. The authors describe the background and principles behind the development of the National Plan, summarize a template based upon the Kuwait experience and share the lessons learned from these efforts.
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Exercise Physiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University. ramadan@hsc.edu.kw
authors.forename: Jasem
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramadan
authors.forename: Ilkka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vuori
authors.forename: Becky
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lankenau
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pratt
mesh_terms: D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009043:Motor Activity; D016730:Program Development; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods*