The Finnish government may combine cabinet meetings with power walks this autumn, Health Minister Paula Risikko said Wednesday, referring to a plan she has put forward to highlight health issues.
Risikko thinks a government decision requiring the cabinet to do more exercise and eat healthier food could help bring health issues to almost all areas of political decision making.
"Many ministers do sports, but some like me do not have energy for anything other than sitting on the sofa after a day of 20 meetings. Maybe this would give a kick-start for a healthier life," Risikko told AFP.
She said the government should set an example for Finns because some illnesses such as obesity or Type 2 diabetes could be prevented by doing more exercise and eating healthy food.
In 2007 some 57 percent of Finnish men and 47 percent of women were overweight, according to a survey by the National Public Health Institute.
"My colleagues are excited about the plan," Risikko said, adding that two of them -- Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila and Labour Minister Tarja Cronberg -- "already told me they were in."
