Regular physical activity is essential for reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, enhancing physical and cognitive function, and improving mental health. The 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity guidelines recommend that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination to achieve these benefits. The term “insufficiant physical activity” is used to describe adults who do not meet these aerobic activity guidelines.
The World Health Assembly (WHA) has set a goal of achieving a 15% relative reduction in insufficient physical activity between 2010 and 2030. The last global estimate of insufficient physical activity among adults was reported in 2016, with minimal trend data available. A study carried out by Strain et al., recently published in “The Lancet” aimed to update the global estimates of insufficient physical activity, including time trends from 2000 to 2022, for 197 countries and territories by sex and age group. The study also estimated the progress towards achieving the global target of reducing insufficient physical activity by a relative 15% by 2030.
The age-standardized prevalence of insufficient physical activity was found to be 31.3% in 2022, globally, with greater prevalence of inactivity being noted in females and people aged >60 years. The target for reduction of physical inactivity was off-track in most regions and countries. This highlights the need for greater efforts to promote physical activity across the globe (see graphic).
(Source: Strain T, Flaxman S, Guthold R, Semenova E, Cowan M, Riley LM, Bull FC, Stevens GA; Country Data Author Group. 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. Lancet Glob Health. 2024 Jun 25:S2214-109X(24)00150-5. Doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(24)00150-5)