Who we are

Agita Mundo is a global network and since 2015, an independent council of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health, the main objective of which is to promote physical activity for a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages and abilities, through social mobilisation.

The Agita Mundo Network encourages the dissemination of information on the benefits of physical activity and the realization of effective strategies to increase the level of physical activity of the population. The network also supports and recognizes the development of local physical activity programs and networks around the world .

The Agita Mundo Network was launched in October 2002, at a gathering of national and international institutions representing physical activity and health, and mandated by the Declaration of São Paulo to Promote Physical Activity in the World. Since its inception, it has been under the coordination of the Center of Studies of the Physical Fitness Laboratory of São Caetano do Sul (CELAFISCS).

The network has played a critical role in the dissemination of messages concerning the importance of and benefits associated with physical activity on a global scale, and has been responsible for connecting more than 200 organisations all across the world. One of the most prominent roles for the Agita Mundo Network are the activations linked to the World Day of Physical Activity (WDPA), celebrated each year on or around April 6. In addition, Agita Mundo recognizes and celebrates activations linked to World Move for Health Day (May 10). Each year, a central theme is selected by the Agita Mundo Network. For example, in 2018, the theme was "Be Active Every Day".

Becoming a partner of Agita Mundo Network you agree to receive and share communications concerning the activities of Agita Mundo and the International Society of Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH, www.ispah.org), the vision of which is: ‘A healthy active world where the opportunities for physical activity and active living are available to all’ and the mission of which is ‘To advance and promote physical activity as a global health priority through excellence in research, education, capacity building and advocacy’.

Purposes of the Agita Mundo Network

1. Stimulate research, encourage the dissemination of information on the health benefits of physical activity and effective strategies to increase the level of physical activity.
2. Defender physical activity and health, and support for national and regional development programs and physical activity promotion networks.

Specific objectives of Agita Mundo Network

1. Defender physical activity and health by the World Day of Physical Activity, as well as other community-based events and mega events and inform opinion makers about the importance of physical activity for public policy.
2. Widely disseminate simple and consistent clear message about the benefits to health and social rights of at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.
3. Stimulate the creation of regional and international networks to promote physical activity and provide contact between them.
4. Share good experiences, effective strategies and programs through websites, meetings, workshops and publications.
5. Promote and disseminate information on innovative approaches to develop alliances in the world to promote physical activity and good health.

Some global factors were instrumental in the creation of the Network.

• The high prevalence of physical inactivity (over 50%) in developing and developed countries.
• The contribution of physical inactivity in total mortality and morbidity mainly due to cardiovascular disease and cancer.
• That physical inactivity associated with smoking and poor diet cause 75% of deaths from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• 79% of the deaths attributed to chronic noncommunicable diseases occur in developing countries.
• The NCD explain about 60% of all deaths and 43% of the burden with the disease worldwide, and is expected to increase by 73% of all deaths and 60% of illnesses in 2020.
• That approximately 2 million deaths a year worldwide are attributable to physical inactivity.
• The main consequences of sedentary lifestyle on morbidity are obesity, hypertension, diabetes and depression.
• The benefits of physical activity for biological health as controlling body weight, improved glucose tolerance, bone mineral density, cholesterol profile, reducing blood pressure.
• The psychosocial benefits of physical activity, increasing self-esteem, body appearance, well-being, mental alertness, reducing the feeling of loneliness, stress, anxiety and depression.
• Indirect benefits of physical activity, lowering the rate of violence in young people, promoting the lifestyle without the use of smoke and reducing other risk behaviors such as unsafe sex and illicit drug use.
• The high direct costs of physical inactivity: $ 76 billion annually in the United States, $ 34.7 million in São Paulo in 2002 and 2% to 3% of total medical costs in several developed countries.
• The impact of World Health Day celebrations in 2002, comprising 1987 events in 148 countries on 5 continents, with messages translated in 63 languages; involving the public, opinion leaders and health promotion networks.
• The unanimous decision held in the WHO World Assembly in 2002 in the adoption of Resolution 55.23 of the World Health Assembly committed all member states to celebrate the "Move for Health Day" each year to promote physical activity as an essential strategy for health and well-being.
• That Resolution 55.23 of the World Health Assembly also called for the development of a Global Strategy on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health for prevention and control of chronic noncommunicable diseases.
• The impact of local initiatives, regional, national and continental as: Agita Sao Paulo, Brazil Agita, Active Australia, Muevete Bogota; Active Risaralda; Muevete Pues; The moverse Argentina; Uruguay Moving; Venezuela Moving; Muevete Panama, Vida Chile, among others.
• That international scientific institutions such as WHO, PAHO, ACSM, FIMS, COPAMEDE and others have already developed a declaration to promote regular physical activity as an important strategy for health promotion.

One of the important moments for Agita Mundo Network, took place in May 2004, when WHO - World Health Organization approved the document entitled: Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.

This document after extensive discussions with several specialist, including Dr. Victor Matsudo representing Agita São Paulo Program / Agita Brazil, suggests a broad discussion for the formulation of public policies in the area of ​​healthy eating and physical activity promotion and proposes actions at the local level and national and worldwide (WHO, 2004).

Many of these strategies suggested in this document were already used by the Agita São Paulo Program since its launch in 1996.

Thus it was possible the unification of diverse experiences of promoting physical activity, thus culminating in the formation of so-called Global Action Physical Activity with the participation of the following networks:

AFPAN

The Network of African Physical Activity. Is currently the "arm" African working for Global Advocacy for Physical Activity (GAPA), representing the defense counsel for the International Society for Physical Activity and Public Health.

Site

APPAN

The Physical Activity Network Asia Pacific was launched to ensure a culturally and contextually adapted approach to promoting physical activity in the region, to promote sharing of information and disseminate updated information on the level of prevalence of physical activity, policies, programs and guidelines and provide feedback based on evidence and technical support.

Site

HEPA Europe

The European Network for the Promotion of Physical Activity for Health works to improve health through physical activity among all people in the WHO European Region, strengthens and supports efforts to increase participation and improve the conditions for healthy lifestyles and sustainable transport.

Site

RAFA-PANA

The Physical Activity Network of the Americas was created in order to integrate, strengthen and disseminate policies and experiences of national networks and promote the implementation of evidence-based strategies in the context of public health to promote healthy lifestyles in the Americas.

Site

The CELAFISCS - Fitness Laboratory Studies Centre Physics of São Caetano do Sul is where is located the headquarters of the Agita Mundo Network also collaborates and actively works with regional and international networks.