A study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has indicated that about 1.8 billion adults are prone to heart attacks and diabetes as a result of not meeting the recommended physical activity levels in 2022.
The study published in The Lancet Global Health journal, was able to establish the prevalence of insufficient physical activity for 197 countries and territories, from 2000 to 2022.
It pointed to a worrying trend of physical inactivity among adults, which has increased by about five per cent between 2010 and 2022.
The researchers warn that if the trend continues, levels of inactivity are projected to further rise to 35 per cent by 2030, and the world is currently off track from meeting the global target to reduce physical inactivity by 2030.
WHO recommends that adults have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or equivalent, per week, as physical inactivity puts adults at greater risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes, dementia and cancers such as breast and colon.
“These new findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease and to improve mental well-being through increased physical activity.
“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,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
The highest rates of physical inactivity were observed in the high-income Asia Pacific region (48 per cent) and South Asia (45 per cent), with levels of inactivity in other regions ranging from 28 per cent in high-income Western countries to 14 per cent in Oceania.
The data showed physical inactivity is still more common among women globally compared with men, with inactivity rates of 34 per cent compared to 29 per cent
