A new study published by the World Health Organization (WHO) outlines that 31 percent of adults worldwide are inactive and are not meeting the recommended levels of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. If this trend continues, WHO forecasts that global levels of physical inactivity will rise to 35 percent by 2030 from 26 percent in 2010.
WHO researchers conducted the study with academic colleagues and published its findings in the Lancet Global Health Journal.
“These new findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease and improve mental health and well-being through increased physical activity,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director/general. “We must renew our commitment to increasing levels of physical activity and prioritizing bold action, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this worrying trend.”
The highest rates of physical inactivity were found in the high-income Asia Pacific (48 percent) and South Asia (45 percent) regions, with levels of inactivity in other parts of the world ranging from 28 percent in high-income Western countries to 14 percent in Oceania.
Of concern, disparities remain between gender and age. Physical inactivity is still more common among women globally than men, with inactivity rates of 34 percent compared to 29 percent. In some countries, this difference is as much as 20 percentage points. Additionally, people over 60 are less active than other adults, underscoring the importance of promoting physical activity in that demographic.
“Physical inactivity is a silent threat to global health, contributing significantly to the burden of chronic diseases,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, director of Health Promotion at WHO. “We need to find innovative ways to motivate people to be more active, considering factors like age, environment, and cultural background. By making physical activity accessible, affordable and enjoyable for all, we can significantly reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases and create a population that is healthier and more productive.”
Despite the findings, the study found that almost one-half of the world’s countries have made some improvements over the past decade, and WHO identified 22 countries as likely to reach the global target of reducing inactivity by 15 percent by 2030 if they continue at the same pace.
In light of its findings, WHO is asking that countries strengthen their policy implementation to promote and enable physical activity through grassroots and community sports and active recreation and transport (walking, cycling and public transportation), among other measures.
“These new findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease and improve mental health and well-being through increased physical activity,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus. “We must renew our commitment to increasing levels of physical activity and prioritizing bold action, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this worrying trend.”
“Promoting physical activity goes beyond promoting individual lifestyle choice; it will require a whole-of-society approach and creating environments that make it easier and safer for everyone to be more active in ways they enjoy to reap the many health benefits of regular physical activity,“ said D.r Fiona Bull, head of the WHO Unit for Physical Activity.
Image courtesy Vogue
