A new study published in The Lancet Global Health journalby has asserted that nearly half of adults in India did not meet WHO’s recommended levels of physical activity in 2022, a study revealed.
The study noted a significant gender gap, with 57 percent of women in India found to be insufficiently active, compared to 42 percent of men. This trend mirrors patterns seen across South Asia, where women’s physical activity levels lagged an average of 14 percent behind men.
Globally, the report said that 31.3 percent of adults were insufficiently active, failing to achieve the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. This represents a notable increase from 26.4 percent in 2010, suggesting that global efforts to improve physical activity levels are falling short.
In India, the trend of insufficient physical activity among adults has seen a significantly rise in past decades. In 2000, about 22 percent of adults were insufficiently active, a figure that climbed to nearly 34 percent by 2010. Projections indicate that this trend could continue, with an estimated 60 percent of adults in India failing to meet physical activity guidelines by 2030.
The study, which analysed data from population-based surveys spanning 197 countries and territories from 2000 to 2022, also highlighted a concerning trend among older adults globally. Increasing numbers of individuals aged 60 and above are engaging in insufficient physical activity, further raising concerns about the health impacts associated with sedentary lifestyles.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. The rising incidence of these conditions is placing an increasing burden on healthcare systems worldwide.
A separate 2023 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research has already warned about high rates of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and elevated cholesterol levels among the people.
With inputs from PTI
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Half of adults in India not active enough physically, especially women
