Promoting physical fitness should be a national priority - Abu Meri

RIGA - Health Minister Hossam Abu Meri (New Unity) told LETA that promoting physical fitness and an active lifestyle should be one of the country's priorities.

He admitted that currently Latvia has the worst indicators in promoting physical activity among the population compared to other European Union countries. The country is experiencing childhood obesity, rising incidence of cardiovascular disease, oncological diseases and sedentary behavior.

At the same time, the Minister stressed that the promotion of physical activity is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Health alone. It is a cross-sectoral issue that needs to be tackled through cooperation between the State Chancellery, ministries and the sports sector.

"At present, the Public Health Framework does not contain a detailed plan to promote physical activity. We should have a plan, we could have a memorandum between the state and NGOs and write a plan to promote these physical fitness and an active lifestyle," the minister said.

He said that within a month or a month and a half, a working group would be set up to start discussions with representatives of various sectors on the necessary steps to promote physical activity among the population of Latvia. Discussions will also be held on a possible extension of the Public Health Framework to include a proposal to promote interest in a physically active lifestyle among both residents and employers.