34-35 Risk factor: Physical inactivity CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

8
Take a stroll after meals and you wont have to go to the medicine shop. Ancient Chinese proverb

Risk factor: physical inactivity

Sitting
Time spent seated each week, people aged 18 years and above 2000 42 hours selected countries 37 hours 35 hours 31 hours 29 hours
MEXICO DOMINICAN REP.

FINLAND SWEDEN DENMARK NETH. BELGIUM LUXEMBOURG FRANCE CROATIA ITALY SPAIN PORTUGAL GREECE B&H KAZAKH STAN GERMANY SLOVAKIA AUSTRIA

UNITED KINGDOM IRELAND

Industrialization, urbanization and mechanized transport have reduced physical activity, even in developing countries, so that currently more than 60% of the global population are not sufficiently active. Physical exercise is linked to longevity, independently of genetic factors. Physical activity, even at an older age, can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, help reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and improve lipid profile. It also reduces the risks of colon cancer, breast cancer and ischaemic stroke. Doing more than 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week whether at work, in the home, or elsewhere can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by approximately 30%. Despite documented evidence of the benefit of physical activity in preventing and treating cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, more than a quarter of a million individuals die each year in the United States because of a lack of regular physical exercise. Only 8% of the worlds population currently owns a car. Between 1980 and 1998, the global fleet of cars, trucks and buses grew by 80%, with a third of the increase taking place in developing countries.

TUNISIA

C H I N A

NEPAL
UAE INDIA BURKINA FASO CTE DIVOIRE GHANA ETHIOPIA SRI LANKA BANGLADESH LAO PDR VIET NAM PHILIPPINES

Finland, France

Italy

Netherlands

Spain

United Kingdom

BRAZIL
MALAWI ZIMBABWE

COMOROS

MAURITIUS

PARAGUAY

Physical activity
URUGUAY

The following activities have similar benefits to health: Washing and waxing a car for 4560 minutes Washing windows or floors for 4560 minutes Playing volleyball for 45 minutes Wheeling self in wheelchair for 3040 minutes Bicycling 8 km in 30 minutes Pushing a pushchair 2.5 km in 30 minutes Walking 3 km in 30 minutes Swimming laps for 20 minutes Playing basketball for 1520 minutes

Physical activity levels

Energy expenditure per week in work, leisure and transport MET-mins 20022003 1 MET is the amount of energy expended while sitting quietly at rest 6000 and above 35005999 13003499 below 1300 no data

Both the inten sity and durat i exerc on of i impor se are reduc tant in in from g deaths c heart oronary disea se.

y icall phys eases g n i Be incr f tive inac ur risk o rt yo e h a nary nd o r o c y se a disea stroke b c emi mes. ischa d 1.5 ti n arou

al hysic p , e ses dwid Worl tivity cau on c ina 1.9 milli f t abou s, 20% o ase h t s i a d r e de scula ronary a v o i card 2% of co . se and 2 art disea he
750

hina , in C 50 7 9 In 19 were 2 ry e ther s to eve A le US y bic c ile the ne h o w car, ess than car. l y r had to eve e l c bicy

s orld w e , h USA of t 25% re in the just a h cars ntry wit rlds u o w c e o a . of th 5% pulation po

Singapore keeps moving Physical inactivity by social class in India

Percentage of time spent seated, at work or in spare time, by people aged 25 years and above in two Indian villages 19931995 male female 27% 4% 3% 6% 6% next highest highest 37% 82% 69% Percentage participation in any form of sport for at least 20 minutes, on 3 or more days a week, by age 1998 female male 11% 25% 9% 14% 16% 16% 16% 24% 32% 24%

Transport
519 Number of motor vehicles per 1000 people 1996 selected countries

The global fleet

Number of vehicles 1000 million 19501994, 2025 projected 630 million

97

81 8 7 China India

70 million 1950 1994 2025

34

lowest

next lowest

1829 3039 4049 5059 6069 years years years years years

USA Japan Brazil Hong Kong SAR

35