Deaths resulting from low physical activity in South Africa almost tripled over 30 years, according to a new WHO report, which warns that a third of the world is at risk of chronic disease due to inactivity, and about 1.8bn people did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022.
Inactivity levels have jumped to 31%, an increase of 10% since 2000, mostly driven by data from lower-middle income countries, found the study, published in The Lancet Global Health journal.
The first global estimate since 2016, and using data from more than 500 population-based surveys covering 5.7m participants in 197 countries and territories, it showed levels of physical activity plummeted between 2010 and 2022, putting 1.8bn people at risk of non-communicable diseases.
If the trend of inactivity continues, 35% of people will be inactive by 2030, posing a higher disease burden, the report said.
In South Africa, deaths resulting from low physical activity almost tripled over 30 years, from 2 510 in 1990 to 7 716 in 2022 – a relative change of 207%, while as a comparison, in Switzerland, the figures reduced from 914 deaths to 747 in the same time frame, a decrease of 18%.
Further north on this continent, Angola stats recorded 217 deaths in 1990 and 632 in 2022, a relative change of 190%, while Botswana saw 71 and then 171 – a 141% change.
Lower-middle income countries face the highest levels of physical inactivity at 38% in 2022 compared with low (17%), upper-middle (27%), and high income (33%) countries, found the report.
The WHO’s physical activity global target aims to reduce the prevalence of insufficient physical activity by 15% from 2018 to 2030, reports Health Policy Watch.
However, current trends indicate physical inactivity will instead rise to 35% by 2030.
WHO Health Director Dr Rüdiger Krech described physical inactivity as a silent killer, saying these new statistics necessitate innovative ways to motivate more people to be active.
The agency recommends 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly.
Also revealed in the report was a gender disparity in physical activity, with 31% of women being inactive compared with 29% of men. People over 60 are generally more inactive than younger people, statistics found.
The WHO has called on countries to strengthen their policy implementation to promote and enable physical activity
Study details
National, regional, and global trends in insufficient physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 507 population-based surveys with 5.7m participants (Open access)
Tessa Strain,Seth Flaxman, Regina Guthold, Elizaveta Semenova, Melanie Cowan, Leanne Riley et al.
Published in The Lancet on 25 June 2024
Summary
Background
Insufficient physical activity increases the risk of non-communicable diseases, poor physical and cognitive function, weight gain, and mental ill-health. Global prevalence of adult insufficient physical activity was last published for 2016, with limited trend data. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of insufficient physical activity for 197 countries and territories, from 2000 to 2022.
Methods
We collated physical activity reported by adults (aged ≥18 years) in population-based surveys. Insufficient physical activity was defined as not doing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination per week. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to compute estimates of insufficient physical activity by country or territory, year, age, and sex. We assessed whether countries or territories, regions, and the world would meet the global target of a 15% relative reduction of the prevalence of insufficient physical activity by 2030 if 2010–22 trends continue.
Findings
We included 507 surveys across 163 countries and territories. The global age-standardised prevalence of insufficient physical activity was 31·3% (95% uncertainty interval 28·6–34·0) in 2022, an increase from 23·4% (21·1–26·0) in 2000 and 26·4% (24·8–27·9) in 2010. Prevalence was increasing in 103 (52%) of 197 countries and territories and six (67%) of nine regions, and was declining in the remainder. Prevalence was 5 percentage points higher among female (33·8% [29·9–37·7]) than male (28·7% [25·0–32·6]) individuals. Insufficient physical activity increased in people aged 60 and older in all regions and both sexes, but age patterns differed for those under 60. If 2010–22 trends continue, the global target of a 15% relative reduction between 2010 and 2030 will not be met (posterior probability <0·01); however, two regions, Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa, were on track with considerable uncertainty (posterior probabilities 0·70–0·74).
Interpretation
Concerted multi-sectoral efforts to reduce insufficient physical activity levels are needed to meet the 2030 target. Physical activity promotion should not exacerbate sex, age, or geographical inequalities.
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