The venezuelan repord card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Abstract

In Venezuela, the leading cause for death are cardiovascular diseases and the rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity have been increasing during the past decade. Venezuela is facing the rise in these noncommunicable diseases (NCD) while still dealing with undernutrition and communicable diseases. This has been a complex scenario when addressing the right interventions because at least ideally, the aim should be to provide care for those overweight and or obese, compensate those who are undernourished while attending the normal population. Besides these challenges, the country is facing a relevant economic and social crisis in which the increase of poverty arises as an important factor of social disparities, which constitutes an obstacle for achieving the established international recommendations of physical activity (PA). Information and figures about the physical activity status in children and youth in Venezuela are scarce and disorganized. International reports mention the fact that governmental and non-governmental actions for PA promotion are being taken, but lack on detailed description.