Half on India is not physically active: Report
Half on India is not physically active: Report
July 18, 2024
In a recent podcast hosted by Zubeda Hamid, Dr K Srinath Reddy, Professor of Public Health, Public Health Foundation of India discusses a critical issue in India with respect to insufficient physical activity, which significantly raises the risk of numerous diseases. He stresses the necessity for government and policy-level interventions to create green, safe spaces, and food exercise and advocates for encouraging physical activity from a young age.
There are several implications as to the reasons behind the importance of physical activity and exercising. A study in The Lancet Global Health shows nearly half of Indians are insufficiently active, with the inactivity of adults rising from 22% in 2000 to 49.4% in 2022.
On the other hand, women were found to be more physically inactive than men. On a global level, South Asia ranks second in the world in terms of insufficient physical activity among adults, following the high-income Asia-Pacific region. Worldwide, about 31.3% of all adults are not sufficiently physically active.
Additionally, there are several health implications associated with insufficient physical inactivity. It leads to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, diabetes, and heart diseases. Currently, India already ranks high globally for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the rising trend of physical inactivity will worsen this situation.
It is recommended by Dr. Reddy that government initiatives should be encouraged to carve out more green, sustainable and safe spaces where people can exercise. Habits of early exercising or from a young age to establish lifelong healthy practices are also emphasized.
In future, if the current trends related to physical inactivity continue to grow then, the global target of reducing physical inactivity by 155 by 2030. Therefore, he advises implementing programs in schools to promote physical activity among children. Creating community initiatives to encourage exercise among all age groups.Encouraging physical activity in office environments through corporate wellness programs.
Dr Reddy’s discussion underscores the urgent need to address the physical inactivity epidemic in India through comprehensive strategies involving policy changes, community efforts, and education to improve public health outcomes.
