Available experience and scientific evidence
show that the regular practice of
appropriate physical activity and sports provides
people, both male and female, of all
ages and conditions including disabilities –
with a wide range of physical, social and
mental health benefits.
It interacts positively with strategies to
improve diet, discourage the use of tobacco,
alcohol and drugs, helps reduce violence,
enhances functional capacity and promotes
social interaction and integration. Physical
activity also has economic benefits especially
in terms of reduced health care costs,
increased productivity, healthier physical and
social environments.
Physical Inactivity is highlighted in the 2002
World Health Report on «Risks to Health-Promoting
Healthy Living» as a significant common
and preventable risk factor for chronic
non-communicable diseases (NCDs) along
with other risks in particular high blood pressure,
tobacco use, high cholesterol, low consumption
of fruit and vegetables and obesity.
According to WHR 2002, NCDs cause 60% of
global deaths and 47% of burden of disease. These
estimates expected to rise to 73% and 60%
respectively by 2020. 66% of NCD deaths
occur in developing countries. Physical inactivity
is estimated to cause annually 2 million
deaths worldwide. Globally it is estimated to
cause about 10-16% of cases each of cases
each of breast cancers, colon cancers and diabetes
and about 22% of ischaemic heart disease.
Estimated attributable fractions are similar
in men and women.
Despite its multiple benefits, at least 60% of
the world population fails to achieve the minimum
recommendation of 30 minutes moderate
intensity physical activity daily. More
activity may be required for weight control.
Physical activity declines with age, falling off
from adolescence. Physical activity and physical
education is declining in schools worldwide.
Inactivity is generally higher among
girls and women. It is also spreading in low
income urban communities both in developed
and developing countries.
This is in part due to the lack of physical
activity in leisure time as well as in major
life settings (workplace, schools, community,
home); It is also the result of people
spending higher amounts of time in sedentary
behaviors such as watching television,
using computers and excessive use of «passive» modes of transport.
Opportunities for people to be physically
active exist or can be created in the major
domains of everyday life such as at work, in
transport, during domestic duties and in
leisure time. Appropriate actions need
therefore to be taken in order to ensure that
the various environments – physical, social,
cultural, economic, political, psychological – in which people live encourage and enable
all population groups to become and remain
physically active throughout life.
N° 641 June 2005