New Council Conclusions on Lifelong Physical Activity adopted

On 30th November 2021, the European Council adopted its new Conclusions on Lifelong Physical Activity. Recognizing the importance of physical activity throughout an individual’s life for physical and mental health, it also acknowledges the rise of physical inactivity in Europe, which has worsened due to the pandemic.

New Health 2022 project training healthy lifestyle professionals

The proportion of physically inactive EU citizens who live an unhealthy lifestyle remains unacceptably high. According to the 2018 Eurobarometer on sport and physical activity, 46% of EU citizens do not exercise or play sport at all, while more and more Europeans eat unhealthily and suffer chronically from stress. In the past 50 to 70 years, generations of us did not learn about the health & prevention guidelines that research now offers, so it’s time for a knowledge update.

Healthy lifestyles and fighting childhood obesity are gaining more importance

More attention is now being given to childhood obesity, with several events taking place in the past couple of weeks on the topic. During these various events, the importance of physical activity as part of prevention measures was highlighted.
 
On July 13th, the Health working group of the ENVI Committee at the European Parliament organized a webinar on healthy lifestyles and fighting childhood obesity.

WHO Webinar – Build forward stronger: opportunities for exercise, fitness and health

COVID-19 severely impacted the ability of individuals to be physically active while also underlining the importance of physical activity for mental and physical health. Because of this, the World Health Organisation is organising a series of eight webinars on ReINVENT & ReBUILD – Working together for a stronger and fairer physical activity and sport system for all.

Youth spaces after COVID-19 - sport in flourishing communities

An online discussion on youth spaces after COVID, with a focus on sport, was co-organised by the European Parliament Sports Group and the UEFA Foundation for Children on 21st April 2021. 
 
In the course of the discussion, MEP Dragos Pislaru reminded the participants that the current crisis is affecting coaches, sports clubs and fitness centers, especially financially, but it is also affecting the population.