World Falling Short on Getting People Moving

I was reading a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) on global physical inactivity this week.

The report issued a stark warning regarding the escalating rates of physical inactivity worldwide.Published in June 2024, “Global levels of physical inactivity in adults: off track for 2030” reveals a worrying trend.

Nearly one-third (31%) of adults globally are not meeting recommended levels of physical activity. This is a 5% increase since 2010, and the trendline is climbing to 35% by 2030, posing severe risks to public health.

Why is this happenning? As ever, there’s  a complex, interelated vectors, including urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and inadequate infrastructure for physical activity promotion.Add to this disparities between regions and socioeconomic groups highlight inequalities in access to opportunities for physical activity, exacerbating health inequities.

WHO is calling for urgent, coordinated global action to reverse the current trajectory, urging countries to prioritize investments in promoting active lifestyles and creating supportive environments for physical activity.

What about Australia?

An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report paints an alarmingly picture-by-numbers. Some 78% of Australian adults aged 18-64 don’t meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, including:

• the majority of children aged 10-12

• 83% of adolescents aged 15–17

• 73% aged 18–64 did not enough muscle-strengthening activities

• this rises to 84% of people over 65.

The prospects of Australia joining Singapore as a Blue Zone seem a long, expensive,  way off, with massive levels of avoidable sufferring..

The WHO report underscores that Australia, despite its reputation for outdoor activities and sports, is grappling with significant levels of physical inactivity among its adult population contributing to rising health risks such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders.

The cost is huge with the WHO having previously stated the health implications of inactivity will cost the world economy more than 27Billion per year between 2020 – 2030. And that puts no dollar value on personal sufferring, demands on families, and premature death.

Keep moving

Sobering stuff.

We are deeply privileged to live in Melbourne, and able to avail ourselves of services such as those Be Well provides. We can take comfort that, by doing so, we are going against the trend. By adding decades to our health span and years to our lifespan, we benefit not just ourselves and our families, but also the health system.

So do keep moving. Don’t slow down during these colder months, because we aren’t  bears. Staying fit and well builds our immune systems, warding off winter ills. Tale comfort in the warm community that is Be Well.

See you there again soon!