The event brought together 360 participants and served to review the achievements of the program's second year, which has registered 28,262 uses in its Advisory and Physical Activity Service, expanding across all 21 municipalities of Gran Canaria.
“"Gran Canaria Activa demonstrates that physical activity is a fundamental tool to improve the health and quality of life of our citizens, especially among older people and groups with specific needs."
A spokesperson for the Cabildo de Gran Canaria emphasized that the program's data reflects a growing adoption of healthy habits thanks to an accessible and professional service. Furthermore, they affirmed the commitment to continue expanding initiatives that prioritize the physical and emotional well-being of citizens.
Meanwhile, an IID representative highlighted the strong social character of the program, noting that 75.8% of users are women and 42.3% have pre-existing diagnosed pathologies. In this regard, they stressed the importance of public policies that, like Gran Canaria Activa, positively impact the health of the population.
The collaboration between the IID and the Official College of Graduates in Physical Education of the Canary Islands (Colef Canarias) was described as fundamental for the health of Gran Canaria residents. A spokesperson for Colef Canarias indicated that the program is designed to help people of all ages and physical conditions.
During the project's second year, more than half of the participants (57.7%) accessed the service with a health condition, reinforcing the role of physical exercise as a complementary tool for improving well-being. The user profile also confirms the program's importance among the adult and elderly population, with 69.9% of participants aged between 61 and 80, and 45.75% having a sedentary or inactive lifestyle before joining the initiative.
The meeting also highlighted the results of specialized services, such as those for people with acquired brain injury, which recorded 2,346 uses and 59 users, with swimming pools being the main intervention space. The service for people with disabilities reached 3,419 uses in five municipalities, serving 126 users. In the field of diabetes, the program accounted for 4,877 uses with 176 users in six municipalities, with a predominance of female participation (77.7%) and type 2 diabetes cases.
The day was complemented by talks and workshops given by professionals, addressing topics such as the benefits of physical activity, healthy habits, the relationship between mental health and lifestyle, and guidelines for a balanced diet.
