18.07.12
Inactivity leads to major diseases for UK population
The UK has the third most inactive population inEurope, with two-thirds of adults failing to take the recommended amount of exercise, new research shows.
Papers published in The Lancet found that 63.3% of adults in theUKdo not walk briskly for 30 minutes or more five times a week, or take more vigorous exercise for 20 minutes three times a week.
The most active countries by comparison wereGreece,Estoniaand theNetherlands.
Inactivity causes between 6% and 10% of four major diseases, researchers state; type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer and coronary heart disease. In 2008, inactivity was estimated to be responsible for 5.3 million out of 57 million deaths worldwide.
33 researchers across the world contributed to the study, and are calling for governments to make physical activity more convenient, affordable and safe to boost public health.
Pedro Hallal from Universidade Federal de Pelotas inBrazilsaid: “Although the technological revolution has been of great benefit to many populations throughout the world, it has come at a major cost in terms of the contribution of physical inactivity to the worldwide epidemic of noncommunicable diseases.
“The global challenge is clear – make physical activity a public health priority throughout the world to improve health and reduce the burden of disease.”
Prof Lindsey Davies, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, said: “We need to do all we can to make it easy for people to look after their health and get active as part of their daily lives.
“Our environment has a significant part to play. For example, people who feel unsafe in their local park will be less likely to use it.”
One recommended scheme from the research took place inColombia, where public streets are traffic-free on Sunday mornings and bank holidays to encourage pedestrians and cyclists to use the roads.
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