Monday

The Catalan Institute of Oncology promotes the Mediterranean Diet and the use of stairs among its employees.

InstCatalaOncologia

• Scientific evidence shows that the probability of developing cancer lowers when a healthy lifestyle is adopted (physical activity and a diet rich in fruit and vegetables).

• Antoni Plasencia, Director General of Public Health, participated this morning in the act which accredits the ICO cafeteria in L’Hospitalet, located at the Duran and Reynals Hospital, as a promoter fo the Mediterranean Diet, as part of the Health Department’s AMED project.

The partnership between the CIO, ARCAS (cafeteria management company) and the Mediterranean Diet Foundation has made possible the incorporation of this centre to the Health Department’s projects, pioneers in the Spanish state, in promoting the Mediterranean Diet and the use of stairs.

AMED PROJECT
It is a project designed by the Health department that is developed in collaboration with municipalities, regional councils, restaurateur guilds and the Mediterranean Diet Foundation. In the city of Barcelona, it also counts on the collaboration of the Public Health Agency of Barcelona.

The objectives of this project are to identify and accredit institutions that off Mediterranean food options to their customers.

The accredited restaurants are marked with a sticker that identifies them as AMED establishments. All restaurants or cafeterias that meet the criteria may be accredited, although the project is primarily aimed at establishments that offer a lunch menu. 36% of the adult population of Catalonia eats out between 1-3 times per week.

These restaurants/cafeterias guarantee:

-    Use of olive oil to season and prepare dishes.
-    A wide range of vegetables and legumes included on the menus.
-    Priority of fish and lean meats in the preparation of dishes.
-    Abundant fresh and seasonal fruit as dessert.
-    Low fat dairy products
-    The dissemination of material and information on healthy eating and active lifestyles.

For more information www.amed.cat

Since the pilot in Granollers in 2007, the project is being implemented mainly in the Vallès Oriental, Barcelona city and the province of Barcelona. Restaurant chains are now being accredited. During this last quarter the accreditation of health centre cafeterias has begun.

STAIRS PROJECT
The available scientific evidence confirms the appropriateness of moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week. According to the 2006 Catalan Health Survey, most people do not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity.

28.5% of men and 32.8% of women over 14 say they spend most of their day sitting.

The workplace is an ideal place to incorporate physical activity into daily life, and using the stairs is an affordable strategy that is easy to implement with existing resources, without needing extra time. It also facilitates the consolidation of a healthy habit within the environment where they carry out a good part of everyday activities.

To carry out this project, visible signs (stickers and posters) are placed in strategic locations in the buildings – decision points: reception, elevator, and stairs – with messages that promote taking the stairs.

PAAS
Comprehensive Plan for the Promotion of Health through Physical Activity and Healthy Food

The actions of accrediting AMED restaurants and promoting taking the stairs are a part of the Comprehensive Plan PAAS. Under this Plan, which began in Catalonia in 2006, have been carried out over 50 actions in different areas: education, community, labour, and also in the field of health. For more information on PAAS, see: http://www.gencat.cat/salut/depsalut/html/ca/dir2622/index.html