Dear HIFA and CHIFA colleagues, (with thanks to Jackeline Alger, lead moderator HIFA-Spanish)
Extracts below. Full text: https://www.who.int/news/item/19-11-2022-digital-app-released-to-boost-p...
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Digital app released to boost physical activity – and help get children moving
The World Health Organization, the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar and FIFA launch a major digital health initiative for children and adolescents
On the eve of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar and FIFA are launching a new digital app designed to help increase physical activity and improve the health and well-being of millions of young people.
GenMove, Season1 is a games app that uses advanced movement tracking combined with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide 8–15-year-olds with a vigorous video game experience. The games call for a range of different movements that develop different physical skills and are suitable for children with all levels of fitness.
WHO recommends all children and adolescents get an average of 60 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per day, including activities that strengthen muscles and bones at least 3 times a week. Yet, more than 80% of adolescents do not meet these recommendations and it is estimated that children and adolescents can spend more than 8 hours of their waking day being sedentary and inactive, a behaviour associated with poor fitness, weight gain and reduced sleep. The app is hoped to spur many similar initiatives to get children more active around the world.
“Regular physical activity has major, lifelong benefits for physical and mental health, and is essential for the healthy development of children,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “WHO is proud to launch the GenMove Season1 app with Qatar today. This kind of digital innovation can be a powerful tool to reach young people and get them moving, especially children who might not play sports regularly.”...
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