The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new warning about global physical inactivity in a recent study published in “The Lancet Global Health” journal. This study, the most comprehensive to date, revealed that about one-third of adults worldwide—approximately 1.8 billion people—do not engage in sufficient physical activity according to health recommendations, significantly increasing health risks. Alarmingly, some countries, including many Arab nations, top the list of the most inactive countries.
Global Trends of Concern
In 2022, the percentage of adults who did not engage in adequate physical activity was 31.3%, an increase of five percentage points from 2010. Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at the WHO, highlighted that this increase represents a “silent threat to global health” and expressed regret that the world is not moving in the right direction. Dr. Fiona Bull, Head of the Physical Activity Unit at the WHO, echoed this concern, warning that inactivity levels could reach 35% by 2030 if no significant actions are taken.
WHO Recommendations
The WHO emphasizes the importance of physical activity for adults, recommending at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise like running and team sports. These recommendations balance both physical and mental health benefits, as physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and improves mental well-being.
The Most Inactive Countries: A Detailed Look
The study revealed that more than 50% of adults in ten countries suffer from physical inactivity, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. These high percentages present a significant public health challenge in these countries, necessitating immediate actions to promote physical activity among their populations.
In contrast, some countries report notably low inactivity rates, such as Germany, where only 12% of adults are inactive. These countries benefit from public policies that encourage physical activity by providing conducive environments like bike lanes and walking areas.
Impact of Physical Inactivity on Women and the Elderly
Data indicates that women are more likely to be physically inactive compared to men, with inactivity rates of 33.8% among women versus 28.7% among men. This disparity is partly due to household responsibilities and childcare, which leave women with less time and energy for physical activity. Additionally, inactivity rates significantly increase among people over sixty, further complicating the issue.
Factors Contributing to Increased Inactivity
Dr. Fiona Bull attributes the significant rise in physical inactivity to various factors, including increased reliance on transportation, sedentary jobs, and screen-based leisure activities. Dr. Krech emphasized the importance of moving away from merely watching sports activities without participating, highlighting the necessity of active engagement.
Challenges and Opportunities for Improvement
Experts agree that individual behavioral changes alone are insufficient to reverse this troubling trend. Community-wide environmental changes are needed to encourage physical activity, such as improving urban infrastructure to be more conducive to walking and cycling, and promoting sports activities.
In this context, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for bold measures to enhance policies and increase funding to support physical activity. Despite the significant challenges, researchers pointed out some improvements worldwide. Nearly half of the world’s countries have made progress over the past decade, and 22 countries show promising signs of meeting the global goal of reducing inactivity by 2030.
A glimmer of hope
Despite the significant challenges highlighted by the study on global physical inactivity, there are some positive indicators that offer a glimmer of hope in this field. Many countries have made considerable progress over the past decade, indicating the possibility of achieving the global goal of reducing physical inactivity by 2030. These examples reflect the success of public policies and community efforts to promote physical activity.
Examples of Countries Making Progress
1. Denmark: Denmark is known for its strong emphasis on cycling infrastructure. Cities like Copenhagen are renowned as some of the most bike-friendly cities globally, encouraging daily bicycle use among residents.
2. Netherlands: The Netherlands is famous for its cycling culture, with over 22 million bicycles in a population of around 17 million people. This heavy reliance on bicycles helps reduce rates of physical inactivity and promotes public health.
3. Japan: In Japan, there is significant encouragement for walking and the use of public transportation. Japanese cities are often designed to be pedestrian-friendly, contributing to maintaining high levels of physical activity among the population.
4. Australia: Australia has implemented national programs to enhance physical activity, such as the “Move More Often” initiative aimed at integrating physical activity into daily life across schools, workplaces, and the community.
Effective Public Policies
The success of these countries can be attributed to a range of public policies and innovative measures, including:
– Infrastructure Development: Establishing dedicated bike and pedestrian paths to encourage adoption of active lifestyles.
– Health Awareness: Awareness campaigns targeting all segments of society to highlight the importance of physical activity and its health benefits.
– School Programs: Integrating physical activity into school curricula to ensure children and youth develop healthy habits from a young age.
– **Community Activities**: Organizing sports and community events that promote participation in physical activities.
Gradual Improvement
Data indicates that about half of the world’s countries have made significant progress in the past decade. This progress is attributed to effective policies and ongoing awareness of the importance of physical activity. These efforts reflect the potential to achieve the global goal of reducing physical inactivity by 2030, offering us a glimmer of hope for a healthier and more active future.
