Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela has launched the 'Move to Improve' campaign during an event at the Ta' Qali family park, to raise awareness on the importance of physical activity.

A government statement said that the goal of the campaign is to encourage more people to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.

Abela said that according to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals who do not engage in regular physical activity have a 20% to 30% higher risk of developing diseases that could lead to premature death compared to those who exercise daily.

Abela said that physical activity is a key factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and serves as a preventive measure against several chronic diseases.

He said that a significant proportion of adults in Malta are overweight and there is also a high prevalence of obesity which can lead to conditions such as circulatory system diseases, neoplasms, respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

This further underscored the need to continue promoting physical activity, Abela said.

"The aim of this campaign is to increase awareness and encourage individuals of all ages to set aside time for physical activity in their daily routine," Abela said.

He said that by simply taking a short walk each day or engaging in any form of exercise, including those that require no equipment, people can introduce physical activity into their routine, which will have a positive impact on their lives.

For more information, visit: https://hpdp.gov.mt/hpu/physical_activity