Promoting active communities: multisector local partnerships to create supportive environments and sustain schoolwide physical activity in L’Aquila Municipality (Italy).

BACKGROUND. In accord with the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 (GAPPA) a regular physical activity (PA) is a leading factor in preventing and treating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer; it also helps to prevent overweight and obesity and can improve mental health, quality of life and well-being. In addition to this health benefits, more active societies can generate additional returns on investment including a reduced use of fossil fuels, cleaner air and less congested, safer roads. PA is important across all ages, particularly in paediatric population. Overweight prevalence in Italian children is among the highest in Europe, in some regions above 40%. Moreover, is worrying the involution-trend of motor skills in subsequent generations. Schools are a privileged setting to implement comprehensive programs aimed at increasing PA up to recommended levels throughout high quality physical education, active transportation, before and after school PA, playtime (recess), active breaks in classroom. Supportive school environments and community involvement can provide physical and health literacy for long-lasting healthy, active lifestyles. AIM. This framework for action inspires multisectoral partnerships between local authority, health service and academic institutions. Our proposal is aimed at illustrating the Agreement Protocol for Sustainable Urban Mobility signed in 2019 between the Municipality of L'Aquila, the Local Health Authority (ASL no.1 of Abruzzo Region) and the University of L’Aquila. INTERVENTIONS. In the Agreement Protocol, two interventions evidence-based, reproducible and sustainable are aimed specifically at implementing a schoolwide PA action: 1) Walking buses (named “Pedibus”), to promote active transportation to and from schools; 2) Playground Marking, to promote recreational PA in schools, residential or other public areas. Marked playground are outdoor or indoor areas, where children are left free to play, guided by colorful shapes painted on the floor surface (geometric, symbols, roads, footprints). TARGET. The Agreement Protocol involves 6 primary schools, on a voluntary basis, sited in different areas of the Municipality of L’Aquila. The proposal has been shared by means of public conferences, technical meeting and advocacy actions, with the aim of fostering participation and empowerment of citizens. EXPECTED RESULTS. A plan for monitoring and evaluation, with a correct design and reliable and valid instruments, is going to be defined on the basis specific competences of partners. The implementation of mobility plan in L’Aquila Municipality is expected to have different outcomes from a public health, economic, ecological and socio-cultural point of view, starting from more healthy and sustainable citizens’ habits. The school setting interventions described above, will counteracts the increasingly widespread sedentarism in childhood, improve health levels and, ultimately, reduce health costs in the community. Moreover, active transportation by walking buses and playground marking utilization, as effective and extremely low-cost interventions, will stimulate children’s autonomy, road safety, will encourage the involvement of parents and foster collaboration between community members. CONCLUSION. The multisectoral partnership established in L’Aquila Municipality represents an example of system-based approach and covers the four strategic objectives achievable through specific policy actions universally applicable to all countries as defined in the WHO-GAPPA.