Nearly 30% of adults worldwide are not physically active enough for good health

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning this Wednesday by releasing a study that shows that nearly a third of adults worldwide, a number that is increasing, do not engage in sufficient physical activity, putting their physical and mental health at risk. In 2022, 31.3% of adults – approximately 1.8 billion people – did not meet physical activity recommendations, which is about five percentage points higher than in 2010, according to the study published in The Lancet Global Health. This is the most extensive study on physical activity conducted so far.

Dr. Ruediger Krech, WHO’s director of health promotion, expressed concern at this trend in physical inactivity, stating that it poses a silent threat to global health. Dr. Fiona Bull, head of WHO’s physical activity department, called these results an alarm bell, as the trend is moving further away from the global goal of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.

The WHO recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week or 75 minutes of intense activity, or a combination of both. Physical inactivity is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental disorders. It also places a financial burden on health systems.

The study reveals geographical and sociodemographic disparities in physical inactivity, with differences between men and women, age groups, and countries. Factors contributing to the rise in physical inactivity include motorized transportation, sedentary jobs, and leisure activities focused on screens. To address this issue, individual behaviors, societal changes, and more supportive environments for physical activity are needed.

Global efforts are being made to reverse the trend of physical inactivity, with some countries showing progress. However, bold measures, policies, and increased funding are needed to combat this concerning trend, according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.