Shunning physical activities poses significant risks even as people strive to live healthy lives. Inactiveness has been cited as one of the triggers behind various chronic illnesses affecting millions of people worldwide. The situation is reportedly worsening, with nearly a third of all adults not doing enough physical activity.

Inactive Lifestyles

Adult inactivity is projected to reach record highs of 35% by 2030 from the current 31% of the total adult population. It would fall short of a plan to reduce physical inactivity to 1 5% of the world population by the end of the decade.

Physical inactivity rates vary significantly among nations. For instance, approximately 66% of adults in the United Arab Emirates do not get enough exercise, while the number dropped to as low as 0.03% in Malawi. There was also a difference between genders. About 32% of women globally still need to meet the recommended physical activity levels, in comparison to 29% of men.

Inactiveness Impact

The drop in physical activity levels is due to several reasons, including fewer people walking, increased screen time from working and entertainment, and a shift towards sedentary activities. In the span of intense global sporting events, including the Olympics, and significant football championships like the European and Copa America, watching sports doesn’t necessarily translate to being active.”

According to the World Health Organization, people must exercise at least 150 minutes weekly. The focus should be on moderate to intense physical activities, including walking, cycling, or household chores. Failure to engage in such activities only increases the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancers and mental health problems.

The WHO is pushing for a change in individual behaviour as one of the ways of encouraging physical activities. Part of the plan entails encouraging people to boost community sports while engaging in activities like walking, cycling, and using public transport.