Review article
The Role of Government Administration and Local Self-Government in Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Promotion
Stjepan Heimer
; Kineziološki fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
The global burden of non-communicable diseases continues to grow, thus making the solution to this problem one of the major challenges for all countries in the 21st century. Numerous studies have provided
strong scientifi c evidence that physical inactivity is among the main risk factors for contemporary global mortality and that it is associated with the development of several chronic non-communicable diseases. Therefore, the claim springs to mind that physical activity of citizens is not only an issue of their personal
life, but the state and local government structures should also assume responsibility and promote health and physical activity. This will create social and material conditions for including the majority of population in adequate physical recreational programmes and recreational sporting activities. The paper presents relevant data on health statistics and research results of the implementation of physical activity in the Republic of Croatia. The review of government and sector-related documents of certain European countries and Croatia are also presented. All presented data lead to conclude that it is high time to adopt the national strategy and action plan, and implement measures for increasing physical activity of Croatian
population.
Keywords
chronic non-communicable diseases; physical activity; role of government and local administration
Hrčak ID:
92087
URI
Publication date:
16.11.2012.
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