1.8 billion at risk of disease through lack of exercise
A WHO study, published in The Lancet, flags up a worrying trend of physical inactivity in adults and the health issues this can cause.
Recent data highlighting the global trend of physical inactivity is a significant cause for concern. According to the findings, nearly one-third (31%) of adults worldwide (approximately 1.8 billion people) did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022.
This represents a worrying increase of about five percentage points since 2010 and if the trend continues, projections indicate that the levels of inactivity could rise to 35% by 2030.
The key to good health is exercise
The World Health Organization (WHO) prescribes that adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week.
Physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of various chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and certain types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer.
The study, conducted by WHO researchers in collaboration with academic partners, was published in The Lancet Global Health journal.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, emphasised the missed opportunity to mitigate health issues like cancer and heart disease and enhance mental health and overall well-being through increased physical activity.
He called for renewed commitment and bold action, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this alarming trend.
Results vary from region to region and age
The highest rates of physical inactivity were found in the high-income Asia Pacific region (48%) and South Asia (45%), while other regions showed varying levels, from 28% in high-income Western countries to 14% in Oceania.
The study also revealed significant disparities in physical activity levels based on gender and age. Women globally are more inactive than men, with inactivity rates at 34% compared to 29% for men.
In some countries, this gender gap can be as wide as 20 percentage points. Additionally, older adults, particularly those over 60, are less active, highlighting the necessity to promote physical activity among this age group.
Innovation is essential to finding solutions
Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO, underscored that physical inactivity is a silent threat to global health, substantially contributing to the burden of chronic diseases.
He advocated for innovative methods to encourage more active lifestyles, considering various factors like age, environment, and cultural context.
Making physical activity accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for all can significantly reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases and foster a healthier, more productive population.
Despite the concerning trends, there are signs of progress in some regions.
Nearly half of the world’s countries have shown improvements over the past decade, and 22 countries are on track to meet the global target of reducing inactivity by 15% by 2030 if current trends continue.
WHO calls for policies to encourage physical activity
In response to these findings, WHO urges countries to bolster their policy implementation to promote physical activity through grassroots and community sports, active recreation, and active transport such as walking, cycling, and public transport use.
Dr. Fiona Bull, Head of the WHO Unit for Physical Activity, stated that promoting physical activity requires a societal approach to create environments conducive to active lifestyles.
To reach the least active individuals and reduce inequalities in access to physical activity-promoting measures, collective efforts from governments, nongovernmental stakeholders, and increased investments in innovative approaches are essential.
Only through such comprehensive and collaborative efforts can the global trend of physical inactivity be effectively addressed, thereby improving public health outcomes worldwide.
John Dicey, Global CEO Allen Carr’s Easyway comments,
“The World Health Organization carries out incredible work across the globe and studies such as this one on global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults can help governments form policies to help their populations”.
