Adults face health threat from lack of physical activity

Almost 1.8 billion adults are at risk of illnesses such as heart disease, type-2 diabetes and some cancers owing to a lack of physical activity – and the situation is getting worse, a report suggests.

The study by University of Edinburgh researchers and the World Health Organization (WHO) shows nearly one-third of adults worldwide did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022.

Exercise guidelines

They also found the numbers people around the world who did not get enough weekly exercise increased by almost five percent points between 2010 and 2022, from 26 percent to 31 per cent.

If current trends continue, the numbers of people who do not exercise enough is predicted to further rise to 35 per cent by 2030.

WHO recommends that adults take 150 minutes of moderate intensity, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity, physical activity every week, and defines insufficient physical activity as not meeting these weekly exercise guidelines.

Global target

The World Health Assembly has set a global target – expected to be missed – of a 15 per cent reduction in insufficient physical activity between 2010 and 2030.

The international team analysed 507 surveys of people in 163 countries and territories.

They analysed three data sets, including details of insufficient activity among over-18s, and estimates on insufficient activity between 2000 and 2022 in groups ranging from 18 to 80 years old.

They also examined data for 197 countries and territories, organised into nine groups based on geography, economic development, and progress toward the 2030 target.

Physical inactivity

The highest rates of physical inactivity were observed in the high-income Asia Pacific region, at 48 per cent, and South Asia at 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.

Physical inactivity is still more common among women globally compared with men, with inactivity rates of 34 per cent compared to 29 per cent. In some countries, this difference is as much as 20 percentage points.

Additionally, people over 60 are less active than other adults.

Findings showed some signs of improvement, however.

Almost half of the world’s countries have made some progress over the past decade, and 22 countries were identified as likely to reach the global target of reducing inactivity by 15 per cent by 2030, if their trends continue.

This is the first time we have been able to build such a comprehensive picture of physical activity levels over time, estimating trends for 197 countries and territories.
First author, Dr Tessa Strain
Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the Moray House School of Education and Sport

These new findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease, and improve mental health and wellbeing through increased physical activity. We must renew our commitment to increasing levels of physical activity and prioritising bold action, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this worrying trend.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
WHO Director-General

The study is supported by Ministry of Public Health, Qatar, and World Health Organization.