A recent study in The Lancet Global Health shows that nearly half of Indian adults fall short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended physical activity levels. This trend raises serious health concerns and underscores a worrying rise in sedentary lifestyles.
A study spanning 197 countries from 2000 to 2022 has revealed a significant rise in physical inactivity among Indian adults. By 2022, 45.4% of Indian adults were inactive, a stark increase from 22.4% in 2000. The gender gap is evident, with 52.6% of women and 38.4% of men being inactive. If this trend persists, inactivity levels could surge to 55% by 2030.
The WHO advises adults to engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week. Not meeting these guidelines can result in serious health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and certain types of cancer. Inactive adults are at a higher risk of developing these conditions.
Courtesy: WHO and The Economic Times