Fatshimetry
A new study has revealed worrying data regarding the level of physical activity among adults globally for the year 2022. According to this study, almost a third (31%) of adults do not meet the levels recommended physical activity, thus putting their health at risk. Indeed, lack of physical activity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes, dementia and certain cancers. Additionally, it has a negative impact on mental health and overall well-being.
This study, conducted by the World Health Organization in collaboration with academic researchers, also reveals an alarming downward trend in physical activity among adults, with an increase of approximately 5 percentage points between 2010 and 2022. If this trend continues, countries will fail to meet the global goal of reducing the level of physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.
“We must renew our commitment to increasing levels of physical activity and prioritizing bold actions, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this worrying trend,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.
The least active regions are those of the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, where the rate of physical inactivity reaches 40%. In contrast, people in the Asia-Western Pacific (28%), Europe (25%), and Africa (16%) regions are more active. Disparities also persist by gender and age, with women and people over 60 generally less active.
The WHO recommends that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or equivalent, per week.
Despite these alarming figures, it is encouraging that almost half of the world’s countries have made progress in reducing physical inactivity over the past decade. Additionally, 22 countries could meet the global goal of reducing inactivity by 15% by 2030 if their efforts to reverse the trend continue at the same pace.
WHO calls on countries to strengthen the implementation of policies to promote and facilitate physical activity through grassroots sport, active recreational activities and active transport modes (walking, cycling and use of public transport ), among other measures. These efforts are essential to improving the health and well-being of the world’s population.