WHO launches new global levels of physical activity in adults

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Geneva, WHO, 5 Sep (Canadian-Media): More than one in four adults globally (28 percent or 1.4 billion people), sometimes as high as one in three adults, are inactive in some counties, according to new data published today in The Lancet Global Health, media reports said.

The report also pointed out that women were less active than men, with an over 8 percent difference at the global level (32 percent men vs 23 percent women).

Inactivity rises with high income countries (37 percenrt) compared with middle income (26 percemt) and low income countries (16 percent).

Four World Health Organization (WHO) experts who are the authors of this reports, updated 2008 estimates on levels of activity.

It was found,  for the first time, that overall global level of inactivity in adults remains largely unchanged since 2001.

These data support physical activity and increase the opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, to be active every day.

Courtesy of WHO

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

Regular physical inactivity increases risk of poor health, including cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer and diabetes, falls, as well as mental health conditions. 

Publication of levels of participation in children and young people are forthcoming.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)