Since I was a child I have played sports: first basketball, then soccer, tennis and now, as an adult, boxing. I have always tried to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and stay active. I feel good about the fatigue caused by continuous and intense exercise. I enjoy pushing myself physically, and I think this helps me stay healthy overall.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published an alarming report indicating that a third of adults worldwide, that is, 1.8 billion people, They do not do enough physical activity to maintain good health. Exactly 31.3% of people lead a sedentary life, that is, 2 out of 3 people.
“Physical inactivity is a silent threat to global health and unfortunately it is not going in the right direction,” Dr. Ruediger Krech, director of health promotion at the WHO, commented during a press conference, pointing out a trend “opposite to hopes.”
Faced with this discouraging outlook, the WHO is making an urgent call to governments, communities and individuals to take immediate action to increase physical activity worldwide. The report proposes a series of recommendations:
• Implement policies that promote physical activity in all sectors, including education, transport, urban planning and sport.
• Create environments that facilitate regular physical activity, such as safe green spaces, accessible sports facilities and active transportation options.
• Educate and sensitize people about the benefits of physical activity and how they can incorporate it into their daily lives.
• Invest in programs that encourage physical activity, such as health promotion programs, awareness campaigns and community initiatives.
The WHO emphasizes that physical activity is not a luxury, but a basic necessity for health and well-being. Investing in increasing physical activity levels globally would not only save lives and reduce the burden of disease, but would also generate considerable economic benefits by reducing healthcare costs and increasing productivity. The WHO recommends adults at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (walking, swimming, cycling) or 75 minutes of intense activity (running, team sports, etc.).
