Region must shift sedentary lifestyle paradigm, defends Artur Lima - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, presided over the closing of the 2nd International Conference "Awakening in the Fight against the Motor Pandemic - The Results," which took place at the Angra do Heroísmo Cultural and Conference Centre.

The results of a study commissioned by the Regional Government from the Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto were announced at the meeting. The aim was to assess the physical and motor conditions of children and young people in the Region.

"The results of this study present us with several challenges in the motor area, which ultimately extend to health, social inclusion and equal opportunities," said Artur Lima.

The study, which included a sample of more than 5,300 Azorean children and young people, will serve as the basis for preparing a strategy to minimise the damage to health caused by the motor pandemic induced by covid-19.

The Vice-President also underlined "the Regional Government's willingness to pursue public policies aimed at promoting sport and physical activity as part of the solution in the fight against this motor pandemic."

"We need to shift the paradigm of sedentary lifestyles and physical activity so that we can have a healthier population that is less prone to health problems in the future. And this is what we have awakened in this conference, with the contribution of various regional directorates and experts from different areas," he added.

The initiativeemerged in 2022, following the project "Triumph through sport, education and health in the fight against the motor pandemic induced by covid-19 in Azorean children and young people."

The covid-19 pandemic has led to the closure of schools and sports centres. It has also resulted in restrictions on physical activity, with a severe impact on the health of children and young people in the Azores.

In addition to the strategic partnership with the University of Porto, the project involved various organisations in the Regional Government, namely those with responsibilities in Social Solidarity, Health, Sport, Education and Youth.