Gabriele Eiben is an assistant professor of public health at the University of Skövde. She describes movement as a miracle cure that prevents many diseases, but only works if people find their inner joy of movement.
Gabriele Eiben leads the university's research group on diet and physical activity.
"We became interested in Make a Move because we were already participating in Healthy Children in Skaraborg , which works on the same theme. In Make a Move, we can, for example, assist if any party in the project wants to evaluate their efforts. We pass on knowledge and the latest health research findings.
We need to create a society where healthy choices are possible. A big part of our work is preventing obesity. Lifelong physical activity and healthy eating can prevent many chronic diseases and health problems in all age groups.
We need to work on physical activity. Movement is a wonder drug for health. But it doesn't help if I say you have to move three hours a week. One key is to inspire people to want to move - finding the joy of movement is the most important thing. If you find the joy of movement early in life, chances are you will keep it for life.
We've done studies on the propensity to move at different ages. Children up to the age of six are very active, it's built into them, but then it decreases. This is true both at school and at home, where most children are increasingly sedentary in front of screens. This trend continues into adulthood.
Most of us don't move enough, but we can't change that by threatening the diseases that come with being sedentary. We need to focus on communicating the joy of movement."
