Lack of physical activity puts 1.8 bn people at risk of chronic disease: Lancet

Nearly 1.8 billion adults around the world are at risk of diseases due to physical inactivity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In 2022, nearly 31% of adults fell short of the WHO’s recommended physical activity levels, a 5% increase since 2010. 

If the trend continues, physical inactivity is projected to reach 35% by 2030. 

This lack of movement increases the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and certain cancers. 

The study, a collaboration between WHO researchers and academics, was published in The Lancet Global Health journal.

WHO recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or an equivalent combination, per week for adults.

According to WHO director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, we are missing a crucial chance to fight cancer, heart disease, and improve mental health through getting people more active. 

“We must renew our commitments to increasing levels of physical activity and prioritize bold action, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this worrying trend,” he said. 

Global disparities still existed in the number as the highest rates of inactivity were in the high-income Asia Pacific region at 48% as well as the South Asia region at 45%. 

In contrast, Oceania had the lowest rate at 14%.

Women were found to be generally less active at 34%, compared to their male counterparts at 29%, with the gap even reaching up to 20% in certain countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Cuba, Guyana, Iran, and The Bahamas.

The largest absolute sex difference was observed in the South Asia region, at 14%, 

Moreover, physical inactivity increased with age, emphasizing the need to promote activity among older adults.

“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.

He highlighted the need to find new ways to keep people motivated to be physically active, keeping in mind different 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,” he added. 

While the data highlighted a global increase in physical inactivity, there were also positive signs. 

Nearly half of the world’s countries showed improved activity levels in the past decade. 22 countries were even on track to meet the target of a 15% reduction in inactivity by 2030 if they maintained their current progress. 

To encourage this progress, WHO urged countries to further strengthen policies that promoted physical activity, like supporting grassroots and community sports programs, encouraging recreational activities, and making walking, cycling, and public transportation more accessible.