FITNESS FOR HEALTH INITIATIVE AFRICA

FITNESS FOR HEALTH INITIATIVE AFRICA

What is Health?

Health is state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity - WHO

IntroductionThere is a common belief that growing fat and potbellied is a sign of wealth. On the contrary, abdominal fat is of particular concern because its a key player in a variety of health problems. The good news is that visceral fat yields fairly easily to exercise and diet, with benefits ranging from lower blood pressure to more favorable cholesterol levels.

FHIA VisionTo inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote awareness of physical activity and nutritional health for communities with a view of preventing and alleviating lifestyle diseases, hence contributing to the sustenance and promotion of human health.

Mission To empower and sensitize communities on the need to embrace fitness and nutritional health to combat lifestyle diseases in partnership with our valued stakeholders.

Why Physical Activity & NutritionA large number of Hospitals, homecare, Counseling and corrective centers are struggling to accommodate sick patient seeking medical attention and care. Doctors are overwhelmed with the number of patients suffering from lifestyle sickness. Current trends indicate that people are living sedentary lifestyles such as, Watching television, computer games, eating chunk food, taking toxic drinks, Smoking and Idleness.

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Health Conditions Prevented By Physical Activity & Nutrition

NutritionIt is impossible to effectively embrace a comprehensive lifestyle without interrogating the nutritional habits of a society. What we eat has a tremendous influence on our health and well being.

Implications of Rising Burden of NCDsImpoverishment of already poor families on account of continued treatment over long period of timeLow productivity, absenteeism and inability to workLow national economic growth; each 10% rise in NCDs is associated with 0.5% decline in economic growth.

ObjectivesWe aim to synthesize existing knowledge on the relationship between diet, physical activity and chronic disease so at to:

Strengthen prevention and control of NCDs by tackling major risk factors namely inactivity and unhealthy diet.

To reduce premature mortality and morbidity

To improve quality of life

Our StrategyPhysical Activity & NutritionFitness & Nutrition Road ShowsMedia CampaignWorkshops & TrainingHealth FairsSchool Fitness Program

Fitness & Nutrition Road ShowsIn a bid to create awareness in different counties, we shall customize a truck with a physical activity facility which will traverse all counties.

Media CampaignWe aim at creating awareness and supporting our initiatives through print media, electronic media, social media and billboards.

Workshops & TrainingFHIA will organize regular training and workshops aimed at sensitizing the various communities on how to address cultural, economic and social challenges to physical activity and nutritional health.

Health FairsFHI-A will host health fairs on physical activity and nutrition as well as conducting health screening

School ProgramOur initiative will seek to ensure school going children appreciate the benefits of physical activity and healthy nutrition

Target Groups

PregnancyType 2 diabetes may be genetic but a majority of the cases are as a result of mothers leading unhealthy lifestyles during pregnancy and passing on the same habits to their children after birth.

BabiesBreast feeding is linked with a decreased risk of childhood obesity when compared to formula feeding.

ToddlersParents play a vital role in encouraging healthy lifestyle from infancy through active live in contrary to keeping them busy with sugary snacks.

Pre-adolescenceFor children and young people, physical activity includes play, games, sports, transportation, chores, recreation, physical education, or planned exercise, in the context of family, school, and community activities.

AdolescenceTeachers have laid great emphasis on academic excellence by creating tuition classes at the expense of physical education.School management should implement the Physical Education curriculum in their learning institutions.

YouthColleges rarely promote physical activity inspite of majority having modern facilities. These institutions should employ qualified fitness trainers as a means to advance healthy lifestyles for students and staff.

AdultsModern workplaces tend to encourage sedentary lifestyles. People who work long hours and may not find time to go to the gym.Always take the stairs instead of the elevator.Employer are encouraged to put up physical activity facilities in the work place.

Old AgeThe elderly can still keep active by engaging in moderate exercises like walking, jogging, cycling

Work Done

Annual Stakeholders ConferenceWe held our first stake holders conference in June 2014 at The Hilton Hotel Nairobi.

Mt. Longonot Hiking.

Ngong hiking.

Kamiti Prison Health Screening.

Muscle Mania Fitness Competition.

Naivasha Fitness Competition.

Expected Outcomes

Challenges in NCD Control & PreventionLack of partnership between different sectorsLimited access to prevention and treatmentLimited fund allocationLimited commitment of Government and Private SectorLimited Human Resource

ConclusionNCDs are not just a Kenyan problem but a major global problemNCDs can be prevented: With a double burden of infectious and now Non-communicable disease in our country, we cannot afford to address NCD challenge with medical care alone: Prevention is critical.Partnership: We need facilities and a large national network of people trained in NCD prevention, we cannot do this alone we appeal for your participation.