The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Health Organization (WHO) signed an agreement to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including physical activity, sports for all, Tobacco Free Olympic Games, and the prevention of childhood obesity.

As outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed today by IOC president Jacques Rogge and WHO director general Margaret Chan in Lausanne, Switzerland, the WHO and IOC will work at both the international and country level to promote activities and policy choices to help people reduce their risk of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, and diabetes.
In a press releae the WHO stated that noncommunicable diseases kill nearly 35 million people each year, including almost 9 million under the age of 60. According to the WHO, physical inactivity is ranked as the fourth leading risk factor for all deaths globally, contributing to 1.9 million deaths each year.
"Almost 90 per cent of fatalities before the age of 60 occur in developing countries and can be largely prevented by reducing the level of exposure to tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Noncommunicable disease deaths are increasing in all regions of the world. If trends continue unabated, deaths will rise to an estimated 41.2 million a year by 2015," said the press release.
The organisations agreed to establish a follow-up group that will meet at least annually to further define, develop and maintain a programme of international cooperation and implement activities of common interest. (pi)