The World Health Organization says up to 5 million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active. In a new report titled “WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour” launched on November 25 2020—at a time when many people are homebound due to COVID-19—emphasizes that everyone, of all ages and abilities, can be physically active and that every type of movement count.
The guidelines recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week for all adults—including people living with chronic conditions or disability—and an average of 60 minutes per day for children and adolescents.
According to WHO statistics, one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents, do not get enough physical activity. Globally this is estimated to cost $54 billion in direct health care and another $14 billion to lost productivity.
The guidelines encourage women to maintain regular physical activity throughout pregnancy and post-delivery. They also highlight the valuable health benefits of physical activity for people living with disabilities. Older adults (aged 65 years or older) are advised to add activities which emphasize balance and coordination, as well as muscle strengthening, to help prevent falls and improve health.
“Regular physical activity is key to preventing and helping to manage heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and cancer, as well as reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, reducing cognitive decline, improving memory and boosting brain health,” the guideline says.
The WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus observes: “Being physically active is critical for health and well-being – it can help to add years to life and life to years.”
All physical activity is beneficial and can be done as part of work, sport and leisure or transport (walking, wheeling and cycling), but also through dance, play and everyday household tasks, like gardening and cleaning.
On his part, the WHO’s Director of Health Promotion, Dr Ruediger Krech notes: “Physical activity of any type and any duration can improve health and wellbeing, but more is always better. And, if you must spend a lot of time sitting still, whether, at work or school, you should do more physical activity to counter the harmful effects of sedentary behaviour.”
At the same time, the Head of the Physical Activity Unit which led the development of the new guidelines, Dr Fiona Bull says: “These new guidelines highlight how important being active is for our hearts, bodies and minds, and how the favourable outcomes benefit everyone, of all ages and abilities”.
WHO encourages countries to adopt the global guidelines to develop national health policies in support of the WHO Global action plan on physical activity 2018- 2030. The plan was agreed upon by global health leaders at the 71st World Health Assembly in 2018 to reduce physical inactivity by 15 per cent by 2030.
