23 Jan Physical Activity Critical To Global World Health
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Philipe de Souto Barreto (PhD)
Toulouse University Hospital (CHU Toulouse)
Gérontopole of Toulouse – Head of Department: Prof Bruno Vellas
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Barreto: This study discusses about the importance of physical activity for health promotion globally. The main argument is that, since physical activity is associated to health benefits in a dose-response manner, even less than the currently recommended amounts of physical activity, i.e., 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week or equivalent, will be associated to health promotion. Therefore, from a global health perspective, it would be interesting to promote small increments in physical activity among those who are fully sedentary.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Barreto: The “take home message” of this article is that, regarding the associations between physical activity and health, “every little bit counts, and more is often better”.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Barreto: In my opinion, future research on the topic of physical activity and health promotion should focus on two main aspects: revisiting current public health guidelines on physical activity in order to confirm, refine or modify current public health messages, and increasing public awareness on sedentary behaviours, which constitutes a different concept from physical activity.
Citation:
Global health agenda on non-communicable diseases: has WHO set a smart goal for physical activity?
Philipe de Souto Barreto, researcher
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Last Updated on January 23, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD