New data reveals that nearly one-third (31%) of adults worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion people, did not meet recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. This trend of physical inactivity among adults has increased by about 5 percentage points since 2010. If this trend continues, inactivity levels are projected to rise to 35% by 2030, putting the world off track from meeting the global target to reduce physical inactivity by that year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Physical inactivity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and certain cancers.

The study, conducted by WHO researchers and academic colleagues, was published in The Lancet Global Health journal. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the importance of increasing physical activity to reduce cancer and heart disease rates and improve mental health and well-being. He called for renewed commitment to boosting physical activity levels through strengthened policies and increased funding.

The highest rates of physical inactivity were observed in the high-income Asia Pacific region (48%) and South Asia (45%), with inactivity levels in other regions ranging from 28% in high-income Western countries to 14% in Oceania. The study also highlighted disparities in physical activity levels between genders and age groups, with women being more inactive than men (34% compared to 29%) and older adults being less active than younger adults.

Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO, described physical inactivity as a "silent threat to global health" and stressed the need for innovative ways to motivate people to be more active. He emphasized that making physical activity accessible, affordable, and enjoyable is crucial for reducing the risk of noncommunicable diseases.

Despite the overall worrying trends, some countries have shown improvements. Almost half of the world's countries have made progress over the past decade, with 22 countries on track to meet the global target of reducing inactivity by 15% by 2030 if current trends continue.

WHO is calling on countries to strengthen policy implementation to promote physical activity through grassroots and community sports, active recreation, and transport initiatives such as walking, cycling, and public transport. Dr. Fiona Bull, Head of the WHO Unit for Physical Activity, stressed that promoting physical activity requires a whole-of-society approach to create environments that make it easier and safer for everyone to be more active.

The WHO urges collective efforts based on partnerships between government and nongovernmental stakeholders, alongside increased investments in innovative approaches, to reach the least active people and reduce inequalities in access to physical activity measures.