In a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health , researchers used data from 163 countries and autonomous territories to investigate the global incidence of inadequate physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022. Their results indicate that the prevalence of lower-than-adequate exercise increased from 23.4% in 2000 to 31.
3% in 2022. These trends suggest that a relative reduction of 15% by 2030, targeted by global health bodies, will be challenging to meet. Study: National, regional, and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5·7 million participants .
Image Credit: grandbrothers / Shutterstock Physically active people are at lower risk of developing non-communicable illnesses, have better weight maintenance and mental health outcomes, and show better cognitive and physical function. The most recent exercise guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that adults perform moderate-intensity exercise for 150 minutes or more every week or vigorous activity for at least 75 minutes. People who do not meet this recommendation for aerobic activity are insufficiently physically active.
The World Health Assembly (WHA) has set a goal to reduce the relative prevalence of inadequate physical activity by 15% by 2030. However, sufficient and consistent monitoring of behaviors like sedentary time, balance activities among older adults, and muscle strengthening are a.
