Developing a national physical activity plan: the Kuwait example

A rapid increase in economic well-being and urbanization in Kuwait have been accompanied by profound changes in lifestyle, including low levels of physical activity in all population groups. These changes have contributed to a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and to the escalation of the non-communicable disease rates, particularly coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes. The evolution of physical activity promotion, internationally, and a series of related meetings in Kuwait and neighboring countries, have started to generate an awareness among health authorities of the importance of physical activity in health promotion and disease prevention. A National Physical Activity Committee has been formed to design and implement a National Physical Activity Plan, which could also serve as a model for other countries. The authors describe the background and principles behind the development of the National Plan, summarize a template based upon the Kuwait experience and share the lessons learned from these efforts.