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Up to 5 million deaths a year could be prevented if the world’s population were more active. At a time when many people are confined to their homes due to COVID-19, new WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior, released today, emphasizes that everyone, of all ages and abilities, can be physically active and that every type of movement counts.
the new guidelines Recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week for all adults, including people living with chronic conditions or disabilities, and an average of 60 minutes per day for children and adolescents.
WHO statistics show that one in four adults and four out of five adolescents do not get enough physical activity. Globally, this is estimated to cost $ 54 billion in direct healthcare and another $ 14 billion in lost productivity.
The guidelines encourage women to maintain regular physical activity during pregnancy and after delivery. They also highlight the valuable health benefits of physical activity for people living with disabilities.
Older adults (65 and older) are encouraged to add activities that emphasize balance and coordination, as well as muscle strengthening, to help prevent falls and improve health.
Regular physical activity is key to preventing and helping control heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, as well as reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, reducing cognitive decline, improving memory, and boosting brain health.
“Physical activity is essential for health and well-being; it can help add years to life and life to years, ”said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Every move counts, especially now that we handle the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic. We all need to move every day, safely and creatively. ”
All physical activity is beneficial and can be done as part of work, sport and leisure or transportation (walking, biking, and cycling), but also through dancing, playing, and everyday household chores, such as gardening and cleaning.
“Physical activity of any kind and of any duration can improve health and well-being, but more is always better,” said Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at the World Health Organization, “and if you have to spend a lot of time sitting still, whether at work or school, you need to do more physical activity to counteract the harmful effects of sedentary behavior. “
“These new guidelines highlight how important being active is to our hearts, bodies, and minds, and how favorable outcomes benefit everyone of all ages and abilities,” said Dr. Fiona Bull, Head of the Physical Activity Unit who led the development of the new WHO guidelines.
WHO encourages countries to adopt global guidelines to develop national health policies in support of the WHO Global Plan of Action on Physical Activity 2018-2030. The plan was agreed upon by world health leaders in 71S t World Health Assembly in 2018 to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.
