WHO Global Report Highlights High Costs Of Physical Inactivity
Princess-Ekwi Ajide Abuja
The Global status report on physical activity 2022, published by the World Health Organization, WHO, says less than 50% of countries have a national physical activity policy, of which less than 40% are operational
The report notes that only 30% of countries have national physical activity guidelines for all age groups adding that while nearly all countries report a system for monitoring physical activity in adults, 75% of countries monitor physical activity among adolescents, and less than 30% monitor physical activity in children under 5 years
According to the report, data from one hundred and ninety four countries, shows that overall progress is slow and that countries need to accelerate the development and implementation of policies to increase levels of physical activity to prevent disease and reduce burden on already overwhelmed health care systems.
It noted that in policy areas that could encourage active and sustainable transport, only just over 40% of countries have road design standards that make walking and cycling safer.
As such, almost 500 million people will develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes or other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) attributable to physical inactivity, between 2020 and 2030, and this would cost about 27 billion US Dollars annually, if governments do not take urgent action to encourage more physical activity among their populations.
The report measures the extent to which governments are implementing recommendations to increase physical activity across all ages and abilities.
To help countries increase physical activity, WHO’s Global action plan on physical activity 2018-2030 (GAPPA) sets out 20 policy recommendations – including policies to create safer roads to encourage more active transport, provide more programmes and opportunities for physical activity in key settings, such as childcare, schools, primary health care and the workplace.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, harped on the need for more countries to scale up implementation of policies to support people to be more active through walking, cycling, sport, and other physical activity as the benefits are huge, not only for the physical and mental health of individuals, but also for societies, environments, and economies.
He expressed hope that countries and partners will use the report to build more active, healthier, and fairer societies for all.
Head of WHO Physical Activity Unit, Fiona Bull is of the opinion that globally approved indicators to measure access to parks, cycle lanes, foot paths are missing even though there are such data in some countries.
According to her, the global provision of infrastructure that will facilitate increases in physical activity cannot be reported or tracked as no indicator and no data leads to no tracking and no accountability.
The report calls on countries to prioritize physical activity as key to improving health and tackling NCDs, integrate physical activity into all relevant policies, and develop tools, guidance and training to improve implementation.
This, the Director Department of Health, Dr Ruediger Krech, says is good for public health and makes economic sense to promote more physical activity for everyone,.
Dr. Krech, said there is need to facilitate inclusive programmes for physical activity for all and ensure people have easier access to them and the report issues a clear call to all countries for stronger and accelerated action by all relevant stakeholders working better together to achieve the global target of a 15% reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity by 2030.”
