The 2010 International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health is pleased to offer delegates the opportunity to participate in several optional pre-congress workshops prior to the official opening of the Congress on Wednesday evening May 5th, 2010. Currently 5 Workshops have been selected by the program committee for inclusion. A description of each workshop appears below.

Delegates wishing to take part in one or more of these optional workshops must register for the Congress and indicate which of the workshops they wish to attend. There is no additional fee required but space will be limited and as such delegates are encouraged to register and indicate their interest in the workshops as soon as possible. Workshop participation will be on a first come - first served basis.

To register for the Congress and the workshops click here.

Quebec en Forme: Insights of a Success Story Targeting Health Eating and Active Living Through a Public and Private Partnership
Wednesday, May 5th, 12:30-2:30
Chair: Lucie Lapierre
The objective of the workshop is to share with various organizations (public health, NGO and others) where this young NGO is at and what are some of its challenges regarding community mobilization on healthy eating and active living environments (including active transportation). The second objective is to favor the networking of different organizations specializing in community mobilization, worldwide, in attempt to share experiences, lessons, tools, etc. Presentations on strategic alliance, mobilization, evaluation and knowledge transfer will set the stage for discussions and interactions among the participants. For the benefit of all, participants are more than welcomed to share some of their own practical knowledge in light of the presentations. Everybody is welcomed!

The National Grade 5 Community Physical Activity Pass Program: Canada gets Active
Wednesday, May 5th, 12:30-2:30pm
Chair: Lucie Lévesque
The goal of this workshop is to highlight the importance of community-research partnerships in the implementation and evaluation of community-based health promotion initiatives. These topics will be discussed within the context of the Canada Gets Active Grade 5 Community Physical Activity Pass program modeled on the Kingston Gets Active Grade 5 Community Physical Activity Pass program. Participants will learn how to establish and foster community partnerships, and how to plan, implement, and evaluate their own pass program. Success stories from across Canada will be presented and workshop participants will receive a Community PA Pass implementation Tool Kit.

Cross-talk Between Physical Activity, Appetite and Body Weight

Wednesday, May 5th, 12:30-2:30pm

Chair: Steven N. Blair

Physical activity is a key component of a healthy life style and plays an important role in body weight control. Systematic reviews show that exercise has a beneficial effect on body weight but the outcomes of exercise interventions can be very variable and sometimes disappointing. Some people show great benefit whilst others fail to lose the anticipated weight. What causes this variability? Does exercise induce compensation for the energy expended? When energy expenditure is low, appetite appears to be poorly regulated. When energy expenditure is higher, appetite is better regulated. How does exercise influence satiety signals and what role is played by psychological motivational determinants?

The Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth as a Model for Knowledge Exchange to Policy Action
Wednesday, May 5th, 3-5:30pm
Chair: Michelle Brownrigg
For five years, the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card has consolidated research knowledge to drive social action for policy change. The Report Card presents knowledge in a format that can be easily accessed by media, governments, NGOs, practitioners and researchers to inform messaging, policies, programs, and research initiatives that can increase physical activity opportunities for children and youth. This session will present information on the process, partnerships and management framework for the Report Card, and demonstrate how the Report Card model has been replicated and modified in municipal, provincial, and international jurisdictions. Discussion will focus on how others can also use the Report Card approach to effect change in their communities.

Physical Activity and Girls and Women: Promoting Participation Across the Lifespan
Wednesday, May 5th, 3-5:30pm
Chair: Sydney Millar
This interactive session will provide an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to discuss physical activity and girls and women. Formal presentations will share research and current initiatives, and informal sharing will highlight success stories and practical experiences. Facilitated discussion will focus on lessons learned and persisting gaps, as well as opportunities and strategies that can be used to increase the participation of girls and women in the future. Participants will learn how to make a difference in the lives of girls and women in their community, and contribute to the creation of action priorities for girls and women across Canada.

Planning the Built Environment- Practical Strategies and Tools
Wednesday, May 5th, 3-5:30pm
Chair: Stephen Samis
This workshop will examine the role of the built environment in shaping physical activity. The workshop will highlight some promising practices across Canada in bringing health to the planning table as well as practical strategies and tools to facilitate the collaborative, multi-sectoral action needed to enable change and promote physical activity and health. The workshop will profile results from Bringing Health to the Planning Table: a Profile of Promising Practices from Canada and Abroad, prepared for the Healthy Living Issue Group of the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network (supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada) and feature a new community mobilization and citizen engagement tool, the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Shaping Active, Health Communities: A Built Environment Tool Kit for Change.