Millions of people worldwide are not exercising enough, and this has devastating consequences: In the ten-year period from 2020 to 2030, almost 500 million people worldwide are likely to develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes, depression and dementia, among other things, as a result of a lack of exercise, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Like many other countries, Austria has a lot of catching up to do. The boys in particular hardly move. The WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week for adults to prevent disease. 27.5 percent of the world’s population does not reach this goal. In high-income countries, the problem is about 36.8 percent, twice as big as in low-income countries (16.2 percent).
Young people who are lazy
The figures from Austria are also alarming, especially among children and young people. 85 percent of girls and 71 percent of boys aged eleven to 17 do not move enough. For adults, it is only 34 percent of women and 26 percent of men.
In old age (from the age of 70) regular exercise decreases again, when the proportion of inactive women is 49 percent and men 40 percent. By comparison, in Finland, which the WHO highlights as a shining example, only 16 percent of women and 17 percent of men are not active enough.
In order to keep physically fit, it is not necessary to do sporting activities such as jogging or fitness classes in associations or clubs, emphasizes the WHO. Cycling and brisk walking also contribute to fitness. In some countries there are cultural barriers that prevent women from exercising outdoors. But you can also keep fit in your own four walls, as the corona pandemic has shown, also via fitness offers via video.
The treatment of the 500 million people who are likely to become ill due to a lack of exercise costs the world a total of 27 billion dollars (27.5 billion euros), reported Fiona Bull, head of the WHO department for physical activity, in Geneva. Instead, 100 million doctors could be trained with the money.
Source: Nachrichten
