According to the study, physical inactivity is more common among women.
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The lack of physical activity exposes adults to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes, dementia and cancers such as breast and colon. Despite these risks, a new study showed that a third of adults worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion people, did not reach recommended levels of physical activity in 2022.
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Between 2010 and 2022, people’s lack of exercise has increased by five percentage points. In 2010 the figure was 26.4%, and in 2022 it increased to 31.3%. If this trend continues, it is most likely that by 2030, the percentage will increase to 35%, according to the results of a study recently published in the journal The Lancet Global Health.
To reach these results, researchers reviewed data from 197 countries and territories, from 2000 to 2022, and conducted 507 surveys in 163 countries. Thanks to this, they found that, for example, inactivity is more common among women (34% compared to 29% in men), and that it also increased in people over 60 years of age, in all regions and in both sexes.
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But, not all the results are negative. The study showed that almost half of the world’s countries have made some improvements in the last decade, and 22 countries were identified as likely to reduce inactivity by 15% by 2030 if their trend continues at the same pace.
High-income Western countries are off track, but close to the required rate of reduction. The study mentions that twelve of these countries, all in Western Europe, are classified as on track with a high degree of certainty.
What does the WHO recommend for people who do not do physical activity?
According to the director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “these new findings highlight a missed opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease, and improve mental health and well-being through increased activity.” physical”.
The organization mentions that exercise in people between 18 and 64 years old brings different benefits, including improved mental health: less symptoms of anxiety and depression; cognitive health and sleep.
Therefore, it is recommended for these people to accumulate a minimum of between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week, or a minimum of between 75 and 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or a combination of both, in order to obtain notable health benefits.
For those who want additional benefits, the WHO recommends performing muscle-strengthening activities of moderate or higher intensity to work all major muscle groups two or more days a week.
The WHO called on countries to strengthen the implementation of their policies to promote physical activity through community sport and leisure and transport (walking, cycling and using public transport), among other measures.
