The Toronto Charter for Physical Activity and Public Health

UPDATE: The on-line consultation will be available starting the week of March 15, 2010. Please plan to provide your feedback on the Charter at that time.

The Toronto Charter for Physical Activity and Public Health is to be Ratified at the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health

Over the past 4 decades, a growing body of scientific research has shown that a lack of physical activity is associated with health risks. The prevalence of sedentary lifestyles is high in all countries, and is progressively increasing in most countries that have collected population data on energy expenditures.

Physical inactivity is a huge individual and societal burden to health care, the economy, the environment and to sustainability. Physical inactivity is a major contributor to all leading non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers, etc) and contributes to over 2 million preventable deaths annually.

Given the pressing need to respond to these issues, the International Society for Physical Activity and Health, and the Global Alliance for Physical Activity are developing a Charter for Physical Activity and Public Health. The Charter will articulate a consensus on documented ways to increase population levels of physical activity. The Charter aims to provide a clear and common voice to the global community regarding physical activity, with a call for action to improve the health of populations. It is anticipated that organizations involved in the promotion of physical activity will use the Charter as an advocacy tool:

• to influence decision makers at national and regional levels to elevate physical activity as a policy priority, and
• to develop and implement cross-sector policies, plans and interventions that will increase population levels of physical activity.

More information on the Charter’s development will be circulated in the coming weeks. An on-line survey will provide an opportunity for all interested delegates to provide input to the Charter’s development prior to its presentation and ratification at the Congress.

Be a part of history. Get involved and provide input to this ground-breaking Charter that will become a living legacy of the Toronto Congress.