ALMERIA joined municipalities around the country marking International Obesity Day with the Walking for a Challenge initiative.
Around 800 children from 18 schools took part in the event last weekend, walking the five kilometres from El Palmeral in Almeria city to the University of Almeria campus.
The challenge was organized by the Almeria provincial government and the University of Almeria with the aim of raising awareness among local youngsters about the importance of healthy habits and practising some kind of sport to prevent obesity and the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
In all 62 municipalities took up the walking challenge simultaneously with the aim of together covering the 384,400km distance which separates the earth from the moon.
Speaking at the starting line, provincial administration Vice-President Javier A. Garcia encouraged the children to enjoy themselves, telling them; “What we aim to achieve with this activity is that you acquire healthy habits, that you acquire the good habit of going out and walking and moving.”
Garcia said the regional government is committed to promoting good health in all respects, revealing that one of the most popular activities the administration has organized has been the Flavours in Family initiative aimed at promoting the benefits of healthy eating and using good quality local produce in cooking.
Also at the starting line was Almeria city Sports councillor Juan Jose Segura. He told the children his department’s main aim was to “promote physical activity among school children so it becomes a habit for their whole lives.”
