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In 1998, the European Heart Health Initiative (EHHI) was launched. Funded in part by the European Commission, EHHI was based on an expert report published in February 1997, which examined how coordinated European action could enhance efforts to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
In the course of the initial phase of the EHHI, which lasted approximately two years, a structure of national alliances was put in place and a number of activities were implemented. The national alliances were led by national coordinators who met at European level to discuss developments in their respective countries. Based on these exchanges, a pan-European theme was agreed: children and young people. To address this target group, a declaration was adopted that reflects the fact that CVD is largely preventable and encapsulates the aims of heart foundations everywhere: 'Every child born in the new millennium has the right to live until the age of at least 65 without avoidable cardiovascular disease'.
The importance of the theme is further substantiated by the fact that risk factors develop early in life and are, therefore, most effectively tackled at an early age.
Many organisations active in health promotion had already created programmes targeting children and young people, but the focus was sharpened by the Europe-wide cooperation. The dramatic increase in levels of overweight and obesity observed in European children and adolescents demanded action. In the subsequent phase of the EHHI, it was agreed to examine more closely children's and young people's engagement in physical activity at various levels.
This paper is the fruit of the joint work of the national coordinators and their national alliances as well as experts in the area of physical activity. Evidence has been reviewed by experts and discussed in depth by the national coordinators. The paper is published in the context of the EHHI with the intention of promoting physical activity measures as a way to reduce the burden of CVD.
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