WHO Lists Dangers of Inactivity in Adults

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-Says 1 in 4 Adults Are Inactive

The new report compiled by World Health Organisation (WHO) experts has highlighted the dangers of physical inactivity in adults to include cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer and diabetes, falls, as well as mental health conditions.

The data published in the Lancet Global Health recently showed that more than one in four adults globally (28% or 1.4 billion people) are physically inactive. However this can be as high as one in three adults inactive in some counties.

In the press statement titled: “Launch of new global estimates on levels of physical activity in adults”, the WHO disclosed” data that update 2008 estimates on levels of activity and, for the first time, reports trend analyses showing that overall, the global level of inactivity in adults remains largely unchanged since 2001”.

According to the report,” women were less active than men, with an over 8% difference at the global level (32% men vs 23%, women). High income countries are more inactive (37%) compared with middle income (26%) and low income countries (16%)”.

The statement maintained that these data show the need for all countries to increase the priority given to national and sub-national actions to provide the environments that support physical activity and increase the opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, to be active every day.

The new Global Action Plan on Physical Activity sets the target to reduce physical inactivity by 10% by 2025 and 15% by 2030.