Norrköping now has a magazine dedicated to movement

Part of the larger strategy to reinvent the city in terms of healthier living

Earlier this week, the municipal website of Norrköping shone the light on a new initiative that is taking place in that Swedish city. Inspired by the coming summer, the local authorities are keen to encourage their neighbours to get active and for this purpose they have published a magazine, which is specially dedicated to the theme of movement and activity. It carries the title Sätt Norrköping i rörelse, which in English means ‘Set Norrköping in motion’.

The first issue features renowned athlete Carolina Klüft

Most people nowadays tend to ignore the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Even in a society, such as the Swedish, which is known as being lovers of the outdoors (no matter the season), the trends are alarming. Although most people there are aware of the positive effects of moving, Swedes are moving less and less. In the country, only two out of ten children move enough, according to Norrköping’s web portal.

“When we are physically active, we strengthen our skeleton and build muscle. And we know that regular exercise and training reduces the risk of various diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity,” explained Sara Birgersson, public health strategist at the municipal board's office.

Mental health is also positively influenced by movement and exercising. All of these factors led to the Municipality of Norrköping’s decision to start publishing a magazine dedicated exclusively to motion.

It is available online at the municipal website, where it can be viewed in an interactive format that allows page-turning and playing embedded videos. The first issue of the digital magazine shows residents engaging in different activities.

It also features an interview with Carolina Klüft – one of the most accomplished Swedish athletes having won all the most prestigious titles in her discipline: Olympic, World Outdoor, World Indoor, European Outdoor and European Indoor. Nowadays, she is the Operations Manager at the Generation PEP non-profit, whose goal is to stimulate a popular movement among children and young people to embrace physical activity.