According to a recent study that was published in The Lancet Global Health, half of Indian people did not meet the required daily amounts of physical exercise in 2022.
According to doctors, this lack of activity raises the chance of several health issues, such as dementia, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some malignancies.
Globally, the percentage of such adults was 31%; but, in India, it was 49.4%, and in Pakistan, it was 45.7%. While Nepal’s neighbours, such as Bhutan, recorded 9.9% and 8.2%, respectively. If the current trend continues, it is probable that by 2030, the percentage of people in India who do not engage in the recommended level of physical activity would rise to 59.9%.
The high-income Asia Pacific area (48%) and South Asia (45%) had the greatest rates of physical inactivity, while levels in other regions ranged from 14% in Oceania to 28% in high-income Western nations.
Experts claim that the results indicate a concerning trend of adult physical inactivity, which has risen by almost 5% between 2010 and 2022.
“If current trends persist, it is anticipated that the global target to decrease physical inactivity by 2030 will not be met, with levels of inactivity expected to rise to 35% by then,” the researchers added.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), individuals should engage in 150 minutes a week of moderate-to-intense physical activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-to-intense physical activity, or equivalent.
It is emphasised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that physical activity is not just exercise. Any kind of movement is included, from playing and sports to doing chores and gardening. It’s important to move your body, no matter how skilled or how intense you are.
Notably, the study was conducted by academic peers and WHO researchers. The Director-General of WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated in a statement, “These alarming findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer, heart disease, and improve mental well-being through increased physical activity.”
The speaker went on, “To address this alarming trend and build a healthier future, we need bold action – stronger policies and more funding.”
Frequent exercise lowers the risk of diabetes by 17%, heart disease and stroke by 19%, depression and dementia by 28-32%, and several forms of cancer by 8-28%. It’s likely that an increased level of global activity might prevent 4-5 million deaths annually.
On the other hand, 22 nations are on pace to accomplish the goal of a 15% decrease in inactivity by 2030 if they maintain present efforts, and over half of the world’s nations have showed progress over the last ten years.
WHO went on to say that it is urging nations to bolster the way their policies are put into practice in order to facilitate and encourage physical activity through neighbourhood and grassroots sports.
According to Dr. Fiona Bull, head of the WHO Unit for Physical Activity, “encouraging physical activity goes beyond promoting individual lifestyle choice, creating environments that make it easier and safer for everyone to be more active in ways they enjoy to reap the many health benefits of regular physical activity.”
-Raja Aditya
