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Almost a third (31 percent) of the adult population worldwide – approximately 1.8 billion people – did not comply with recommended physical activity standards in 2022. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) came to this conclusion. The results of their study were published in The Lancet Global Health journal. According to WHO, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults increased by about 5 percentage points between 2010 and 2022. If this trend continues, the level of inactivity is projected to increase to 35 percent by 2030.

The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle

WHO recommends that adults devote 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity activity each week. Sedentary activity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes, dementia, as well as breast and colon cancer. "New evidence highlights a missed opportunity to reduce the incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, as well as improve mental health and well-being through increased physical activity," said WHO Director–General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Unequal access

The highest rates of physical inactivity were observed in the Asia-Pacific region (48 percent) and South Asia (45 percent). WHO also reports on persistent inequalities among population groups. Physical inactivity is still more common among women: in some countries, the difference compared to men reaches 20 percentage points. In addition, people over the age of 60 are less active.See also: "We need to find innovative ways to motivate people to be more active, taking into account factors such as age, environment and cultural background. By making physical activity accessible, inexpensive and enjoyable for everyone, we can significantly reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases and create a healthier and more productive society," said WHO representative Rüdiger Krech.

Encouraging physical activity

Despite the alarming results, there are some signs of improvement in some countries. The study showed that almost half of the world's countries have made some progress over the past decade. According to WHO, 22 countries are likely to achieve the global goal of reducing sedentary activity by 15 percent by 2030 if these trends continue. WHO calls on countries to step up measures to promote physical activity and create conditions for it. "Promoting physical activity goes beyond encouraging individual choice – it requires a society–wide approach and the creation of conditions that will facilitate and make it safer for everyone to lead a more active lifestyle while enjoying regular physical activity," said Fiona Bull, Head of WHO's Physical Activity Division.

Photo by the World Bank/M.Lisanin: An elderly woman rides a bicycle in Croatia. Lack of mobility increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes, dementia and cancer. (photo from the archive)

https://news.un.org