A WHO report reveals that the least active people globally reside in this high-income region.

Consistent and sufficient exercise is crucial for leading a healthy life, yet many adults worldwide are not meeting this requirement.

According to a June 2024 report by the World Health Organization, approximately 1.8 billion adults worldwide did not meet their recommended levels of physical activity in 2022.

According to WHO guidelines, adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or an equivalent amount of exercise.

The highest rate of physical inactivity was observed in the high-income Asia-Pacific region, with 48% of the population being inactive, including South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. This is closely followed by the South-Asia region, which has a 45% inactivity rate and includes countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

On "Squawk Box Asia" on Monday, Abrar Mir, co-founder of Quadria Capital, stated that although Asia accounts for approximately 30% of the world's population, we bear almost 50% of the world's disease burden. We have more diabetics, cancer patients, and cardiovascular patients than any other region globally.

On average, women were less physically active (34%) than men (29%), with the gap being most pronounced in South-Asia, where women were 14 percentage points more inactive than men, according to a report in The Lancet Global Health journal.

Fiona Bull, head of WHO's physical activity unit, stated that the amount of physical activity is influenced by various factors, including personal motivation, time availability, social and environmental factors such as the behavior of those around us and the region's temperature and climate.

Bull stated that women often have numerous responsibilities, including taking on the majority of family and household tasks, which can reduce their available time, particularly when they are also employed.

Bull stated that cultural and societal values can make it difficult for some populations, specifically women and older adults, to access certain services.

According to Bull, children and adolescents may experience pressure to prioritize academics, which can result in reduced time for physical activity. These habits may persist into adulthood.

Some regions and groups are more physically active than others due to a variety of reasons.

The government is responsible for creating policies and allocating resources to prioritize and promote the health and well-being of their people, according to Bull.

To ensure the safety, cleanliness, and accessibility of public spaces for local communities to utilize for exercise, it is crucial for governments to allocate the necessary funds, as suggested.

Physical inactivity risks

Since 2000, the global prevalence of physical inactivity among adults has increased, with 31.3% of adults being inactive in 2022, compared to 26.4% in 2010 and 23.4% in 2000, according to a study based on 507 surveys across 163 countries and territories.

The widespread use of technology in recent years has led to a significant increase in the number of people using technology.

Bull stated that people are increasingly working on electronic devices, such as computers, and are often sedentary while emailing rather than engaging in physical conversations, which contributes to a decrease in travel between meetings.

Not engaging in regular physical activity increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases, which are the "leading cause of premature death in today's world," with over 10 million deaths annually, according to Bull.

Dementia, a leading cause of death among older adults, can be delayed through physical activity, according to Bull. The global elderly population is expected to increase, resulting in 78 million people with dementia by 2030, as stated by WHO.

According to Bull, engaging in physical activity not only reduces the risk of chronic diseases but also enhances mental health and well-being.

Tips to become more active

According to Bull, the secret to increased activity lies in engaging in enjoyable activities.

She advised everyone to try new things, especially those in the middle years of adulthood who realize they need to be more active, to find sports they enjoy for maintaining their health.

Tennis may be more challenging to learn and play than pickleball, which can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The enjoyment and camaraderie of being with others is a significant source of motivation, which eventually becomes a habit, leading to positive outcomes and encouraging further action.

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