Developing a national physical activity plan: the Kuwait example

Kuwait is now designing and implementing a National Physical Activity Plan which could also serve as a model for other countries...

Developing a national physical activity plan: the Kuwait example

Authors: J Ramadan, I Vuori, B Lankenau, T Schmid, M Pratt

Reference: Global Health Promotion 2010; 17(2):52-57 http://ped.sagepub.com/content/17/2/52.abstract

Reviewer: Carlos Mendoza Montano, PhD, ProCor contributing editor; President, Guatemalan Association for the Prevention of Heart Diseases (APRECOR), Guatemala City, Guatemala

Reviewer comments: In Kuwait, as in many other developing countries, dramatic lifestyle changes and a concurrent increase in sedentary living have led to serious problems of overweight and obesity for both men and women. Kuwait is now designing and implementing a National Physical Activity Plan which could also serve as a model for other countries. This article describes the background and principles behind the development of the National Plan, and shares the lessons learned from these efforts. In the article, it is particularly interesting the summary of a template based upon the Kuwait experience.

Why develop a national physical activity plan for promoting physical activity in Kuwait?
Kuwait has experienced deep and widespread societal changes, including massive urbanization and a decrease in the amount of physical activity associated with work and daily living in just a few decades. Overweight and obesity are prevalent and increasing in this country. A few non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome make up a high and increasing proportion of the disease burden in the Kuwaiti population.

Objectives of the National Plan
The Kuwait National Physical Activity Committee was formed in March 2007. The Committee determined that the overall expectations for the National Plan are to achieve a greater community awareness of the many benefits of being physically active and to increase the prevalence of active Kuwaitis. Some of the objectives of the National Plan are: to increase awareness in all segments of society of the importance of physical activity for improving health and quality of life; to encourage community members to participate in physical activity regularly and to take advantage of the opportunities to be physically active that are available in the country; to develop policies for schools and worksites which will result in increased physical activity; to develop policies for the built environment which will enable Kuwaitis to be more physically active.

Template for a national plan based upon the Kuwait experience
The template for a National Physical Activity Plan based upon the Kuwait experience can be summarized as follows: Step One: Establish a National Committee. Step Two: Identify an overall approach. Step Three: Establish the intent. Step Four: Outline a general framework and content of the Plan. Step Five: Conduct and/or summarize relevant surveillance. Step Six: Advocate for the Plan with the general public and key collaborators. Step Seven: Establish strong media coverage. Step Eight: Implement programs. Step Nine: Evaluate activities. Step Ten: Conduct research.

Lessons learned
Several lessons have emerged from the Kuwait experience that can also be applied in other countries. A highly representative National Committee creates commitment to the Plan, minimizes controversy and obstacles as it is developed, and maximizes consensus to implementation approaches later. Use evidence-based approaches to physical activity promotion and policy frameworks from documented international sources to form an initial menu of implementation possibilities. It is critical to have sufficient knowledge of local governance, cultural characteristics and other potential barriers. Be patient and seize opportunities when they emerge.

Additional References
C Hoehner, J Soares, D Perez, I Ribeiro, et al. Physical activity intervention in Latin America: a systematic review. Am J Prev Med; 2008: 34(3). http://bit.ly/d1XUHx

E Kahn, R Brownson, G Heath, E Howze, et al. The effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity. Am J Prev Med 2002; 22(4s). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11985936

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