Silent Danger: WHO Warns of Growing Physical Inactivity Epidemic and Calls for Urgent Action

This Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning by releasing a study that highlights a growing problem around the world: many adults are not engaging in enough physical activity, putting their health at risk. According to the study published in The Lancet Global Health, nearly a third of adults worldwide do not meet physical activity recommendations, which is an increase of about five percentage points from 2010.

Dr. Ruediger Krech, WHO’s director of health promotion, expressed concern about this trend, stating that it poses a silent threat to global health. Dr. Fiona Bull, head of WHO’s physical activity department, called these results an alarm bell as the trend is moving further away from the global goal of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.

The WHO recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week or 75 minutes of intense activity or a combination of both. Physical inactivity is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and mental disorders. It also places a financial burden on health systems.

The study reveals geographical and sociodemographic disparities in physical inactivity levels, with differences between men and women, age groups and countries. Factors contributing to the rise in physical inactivity include motorized transportation, sedentary jobs and leisure activities focused on screens. To address this issue individual behaviors need to change along with societal changes and more supportive environments for physical activity are needed.

Global efforts are being made to reverse this trend but bold measures such as policies and increased funding are needed to combat this concerning trend according to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.