PHYSICAL inactivity and lack of exercise are closely connected to the increase of several ailments and non—communicable diseases (NCDs) in today’s world and this has come about mainly due to a change in lifestyle.
Nowadays, people hardly do much walking which, incidentally, is one of the best exercises, as they mostly drive or use taxis or other forms of public transport.
Even doctors and others in the medical field, who should be role models of physical health, are badly out of shape and some hardly ever advise their clients to exercise.
At least 60% of the world’s population fails to complete the recommended amount of physical activity required to induce health benefits. This is partly due to insufficient participation in physical activity during leisure time and an increase in sedentary behaviour during occupational and domestic activities.
An increase in the use of ‘passive’ modes of transport has also been associated with declining physical activity levels.
Levels of inactivity are high in virtually all developed and developing countries. In developed countries, more than half of adults are insufficiently active.
In rapidly growing large cities of the developing world, physical inactivity is an even greater problem. Urbanisation has resulted in several environmental factors which may discourage participation in physical activity:
* population over-crowding
* increased poverty
* increased levels of crime
* high-density traffic
* low air quality
* lack of parks, sidewalks and sports/recreation facilities
Consequently, NCDs associated with physical inactivity are the greatest public health problem in most countries around the world.
Effective public health measures are urgently needed to improve physical activity behaviours in all populations.
Global trends in physical inactivity are of particular concern in certain high risk populations – young people, women and older adults. It is important for member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to specifically consider the needs of these populations when developing and implementing “Move for Health” programmes.
* Each year at least 1.9 million people die as a result of physical inactivity.
* At least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity physical activity on five days per week reduces the risk of several common NCDs.
* Physical inactivity is an independent modifiable risk factor for common NCDs.
* More than 35 million people died of NCDs in 2005 – this represented 60% of all deaths worldwide.
* 80% of deaths from NCDs occur in low-and middle-income countries.
* Without action to address the causes, deaths from NCDs will increase by 17% between 2005 and 2015. (Source: World Health Organisation)
Against this backdrop, the recent ‘Big Ride’ event organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was heartening and it should be commended as it sought to promote the importance and health benefits of physical exercise.
Such events should not be a one-off affair but should become routine and be held countrywide because of the need to bring greater public awareness on this important health issue.
On this note, perhaps the ministry should seriously consider working collaboratively with the Education Ministry to have karate clubs established in all schools because this sport helps to keep the body and mind in shape.
And secondly, when habits are inculcated from a young age it is very likely that these would remain with an individual throughout life.
The old adage of “healthy bodies make healthy minds” still holds true.