Physical Activity in High Income Countries: Difference between revisions

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=== Results: Adolescents (aged 11-17 years)  ===
=== Results: Adolescents (aged 11-17 years)  ===


For children and adolescents, it is recommended to do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily. Nevertheless, 81% of globally school-going adolescents ages 11-17
For children and adolescents, it is recommended to do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily. Nevertheless, 81% of globally school-going adolescents ages 11-17 did not reach these WHO recommendations in 2010. School-going adolescent girls were more passive than boys, with 84% of girls versus 78% of boys not meeting WHO goals. By far the lowest prevalence of insufficient physical activity (74%) showed adolescents from the WHO South-East Asia Region. By contrast, the Eastern Mediterranean, African, and Western Pacific Regions (88%, 85% and 85%, respectively) had the highest levels of insufficient physical activity. In all WHO regions, adolescent girls were less active than adolescent boys. Across income groups, there was no clear pattern of insufficient physical activity among school-going adolescents. Thus, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity was highest in upper-middle income and lowest in lower-middle income countries (WHO, 2016e).  
did not reach these WHO recommendations in 2010. School-going adolescent girls were more passive than boys, with 84% of girls versus 78% of boys not meeting WHO goals. By far the lowest prevalence of insufficient physical activity (74%) showed adolescents from the WHO South-East Asia Region. By contrast, the Eastern Mediterranean, African, and Western Pacific Regions (88%, 85% and 85%, respectively) had the highest levels of insufficient physical activity. In all WHO regions, adolescent girls were less active than adolescent boys. Across income groups, there was no clear pattern of insufficient physical activity among school-going adolescents. Thus, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity was highest in upper-middle income and lowest in lower-middle income countries (WHO, 2016e).


== Physical Inactivity as a Global Health Problem  ==
== Physical Inactivity as a Global Health Problem  ==
Strong evidence shows that physical inactivity increases the risk of several major non-communicable diseases. It is estimated that worldwide physical inactivity causes 6% of the burden disease from coronary heart disease, 7% of type 2 diabetes, 10% of breast cancer, and 10% of colon cancer. In total, inactivity causes 9% of premature mortality globally (Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group, 2012).


=== Barriers to Physical Activity  ===
=== Barriers to Physical Activity  ===
Insufficient physical activity is partly due to sedentary behaviour at work and at home, as well as
inactivity during leisure time. Similarly, an increase in the use of "passive" modes of transportation also contributes to the drop in physical activity (WHO, 2016b).
With regards to environmental factors, urbanization and following factors linked to it can discourage people from becoming more active (WHO, 2016b):
*High density traffic
*Low air quality and pollution
*In outdoor areas fear of violence and crime
*Lack of parks, sidewalks and sports/recreation facilities


=== Economic Burden  ===
=== Economic Burden  ===
Since physical inactivity is associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, it also provokes an economic problem. Conservatively estimated, physical inactivity costs health-care systems $53.8 billion worldwide in 2013. Of this sum, $31.2 billion was paid by the public sector, $12.9 billion by the private sector, and $9.7 billion by households. Furthermore, physical inactivity caused 13.4 million DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) internationally, and physical inactivity related deaths lead to $13.7 billion of productivity losses. High-income countries bear a larger proportion of the economic burden with 80.8% of health-care costs and 60.4% of indirect costs, whereas LMICs have a larger proportion of the disease burden with 75% of DALYs. (Lancet Physical Activity Series 2 Executive Committee, 2016).


== Promoting Physical Activity  ==
== Promoting Physical Activity  ==
To increase physical activity levels on a global scale, population-based, multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary, and culturally relevant policies need to be implemented. The WHO Member States have agreed on a voluntary global target for a reduction of 10% in physical inactivity by 2025. (WHO, 2016f). It is one of nine targets in the global action plan to reduce non-communicable diseases and improve mental health (WHO, 2016g).
Recommended effective, promising, or emerging interventions from around the world for promoting physical activity: (Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group, 2012b)
*Informational approaches: community-wide and mass media campaigns, short physical activity messages targeting key community sites
*Behavioral and social approaches: introducing social support for physical activity within communities and worksites
*School-based strategies: physical education, classroom activities, after-school sports and active transport to school
*Environmental and policy approaches: creation and improvement of access to places for physical activity with informational outreach activities, community-scale and street-scale urban design and land use, active transport policy and practices, community-wide policies and planning
It would help to guide development of policies and programs to increase activity levels by a continued improvement in monitoring physical activity (Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group, 2012c)


=== Denmark: Copenhagen Bicycle Strategy  ===
=== Denmark: Copenhagen Bicycle Strategy  ===
With the program “Good, Better, Best”, Copenhagen is working to further improve its world leading cycling system as the city aimed to reach the goal of becoming the world’s best bicycle city before the end of 2015 (Cycling Embassy of Denmark, 2012). The bicycle is the most used form of transport with an average share of 36% for trips to work or educational institutions. Yearly health benefits of cycling in Copenhagen are 228 000 000 € (The City of Copenhagen, 2011). Due to the fact that the citizens of the region are such diligent cyclists, Copenhagen estimates that it has one million fewer sick days (Cycling Embassy of Denmark, 2015).


=== Qatar: National Sports Day  ===
=== Qatar: National Sports Day  ===
Particularly among Arabic adults living in Middle Eastern countries, low levels of physical activity were found (WHO, 2014). For instance, in Qatar the prevalence of physical activity among adult men is 63% while it is only 43% among women (Global Physical Activity Observatory, 2012). When developing strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle, individual resources and barriers have to be considered for successful program implementation (Donnelly & Al-Thani, 2015). Factors that impede physical activity in Arabian countries occur at different levels: not only on the individual level (e.g. health status, lack of time) but also on the cultural/social/policy level (e.g. especially for women, their traditional roles, lack of social support or use of housemaids) and the environmental level (e.g. lack of exercise facilities, hot temperatures). Factors that promote physical activity were: Muslim religion, wish to have well-trained bodies, and having a good social network (Benjamin & Donnelly, 2013).
Since 2012, the second Tuesday in February of each year a national Sports Day takes place, when every citizen of Qatar is encouraged to participate in sporting activities with family and colleagues. It aims to promote sports and to educate how to increase physical activity to reduce health risks. Hundreds of activities and sport day events are organized by many government ministries and private sector companies such as Qatar Olympic Committee. Countless free sporting sessions and competitions are available for all, which is why the day is also viewed as an opportunity to bring communities closer together. As a reminder of Qatar’s ancient sporting heritage and culture, National Sport Day also focuses traditional Al Shawahef rowing championships (Government of Qatar, 2017). By declaring this national holiday living an active lifestyle has been clearly communicated and supported by the Qatarian government (Donnelly & Al-Thani, 2015).


== References  ==
== References  ==

Revision as of 08:00, 10 February 2017

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Globally insufficient physical activity has been identified to be the fourth leading risk factor for mortality, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths worldwide (WHO, 2016a). In high income countries (HICs) especially, high or increasing gross national product is often linked to low or decreasing physical activity levels (WHO, 2016b). Physical inactivity is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes (WHO, 2015).

Definition[edit | edit source]

Physical Activity[edit | edit source]

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure (WHO, 2016b). Activities undertaken while working, playing, travelling, performing housework, and engaging in recreational pursuits are included (WHO, 2016b). WHO recommends adults to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week (WHO, 2016b). Compared to those who meet those criteria, people who are insufficiently physically active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of all-cause mortality (WHO, 2016c).

High-Income Countries[edit | edit source]

HICs are determined by the World Bank Country Groups. For the current 2017 fiscal year, high-income economies are those with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of $12,476 or more. Upper middle-income economies are those with a GNI per capita between $4,036 and $12,475, middle-income economies are those with a GNI per capita between $1,026 and $4,035, and low-income economies are defined as those with a GNI of $1,025 or less in 2015 (The World Bank, 2016).

Global Health Observatory[edit | edit source]

Background[edit | edit source]

The Global Health Observatory is known as the “WHO’s gateway to health-related statistics” (WHO, 2016d). Its aim is to provide easy access to country data and statistics as well as WHO analyses to monitor global, regional, and country situation and trends. Global health priorities such as the health-related Millennium Development Goals are covered (WHO, 2016d).

Results: Adults[edit | edit source]

Worldwide in 2010, 23% of adults age 18 years and older were insufficiently active, among men 20% and women 27%. The highest prevalence of insufficient physical activity was the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (31%) and the Region of the Americas (32%). On the contrary, the prevalence was lowest in the South-East Asia (15%) and African (21%) regions. Across all regions, men were more active than women, with differences in prevalence between men and women of 10% and greater in the Region of the Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean Region. As the level of income rose, so did the prevalence of insufficient physical activity, and as such HICs had more than double the prevalence compared to low-income countries for both men and women. In HICs, 41% of men and 48% of women were insufficiently physically active as compared to 18% of men and 21% of women in low-income countries (WHO, 2016e).

The increased automation of work and life in HICs creates fewer opportunities for sufficient physical activity, whereas in low-and middle-income countries there is more work and transport related physical activity necessary for both men and women (WHO, 2016e).

Results: Adolescents (aged 11-17 years)[edit | edit source]

For children and adolescents, it is recommended to do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily. Nevertheless, 81% of globally school-going adolescents ages 11-17 did not reach these WHO recommendations in 2010. School-going adolescent girls were more passive than boys, with 84% of girls versus 78% of boys not meeting WHO goals. By far the lowest prevalence of insufficient physical activity (74%) showed adolescents from the WHO South-East Asia Region. By contrast, the Eastern Mediterranean, African, and Western Pacific Regions (88%, 85% and 85%, respectively) had the highest levels of insufficient physical activity. In all WHO regions, adolescent girls were less active than adolescent boys. Across income groups, there was no clear pattern of insufficient physical activity among school-going adolescents. Thus, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity was highest in upper-middle income and lowest in lower-middle income countries (WHO, 2016e).

Physical Inactivity as a Global Health Problem[edit | edit source]

Strong evidence shows that physical inactivity increases the risk of several major non-communicable diseases. It is estimated that worldwide physical inactivity causes 6% of the burden disease from coronary heart disease, 7% of type 2 diabetes, 10% of breast cancer, and 10% of colon cancer. In total, inactivity causes 9% of premature mortality globally (Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group, 2012).

Barriers to Physical Activity[edit | edit source]

Insufficient physical activity is partly due to sedentary behaviour at work and at home, as well as inactivity during leisure time. Similarly, an increase in the use of "passive" modes of transportation also contributes to the drop in physical activity (WHO, 2016b).

With regards to environmental factors, urbanization and following factors linked to it can discourage people from becoming more active (WHO, 2016b):

  • High density traffic
  • Low air quality and pollution
  • In outdoor areas fear of violence and crime
  • Lack of parks, sidewalks and sports/recreation facilities

Economic Burden[edit | edit source]

Since physical inactivity is associated with a wide range of chronic diseases, it also provokes an economic problem. Conservatively estimated, physical inactivity costs health-care systems $53.8 billion worldwide in 2013. Of this sum, $31.2 billion was paid by the public sector, $12.9 billion by the private sector, and $9.7 billion by households. Furthermore, physical inactivity caused 13.4 million DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) internationally, and physical inactivity related deaths lead to $13.7 billion of productivity losses. High-income countries bear a larger proportion of the economic burden with 80.8% of health-care costs and 60.4% of indirect costs, whereas LMICs have a larger proportion of the disease burden with 75% of DALYs. (Lancet Physical Activity Series 2 Executive Committee, 2016).

Promoting Physical Activity[edit | edit source]

To increase physical activity levels on a global scale, population-based, multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary, and culturally relevant policies need to be implemented. The WHO Member States have agreed on a voluntary global target for a reduction of 10% in physical inactivity by 2025. (WHO, 2016f). It is one of nine targets in the global action plan to reduce non-communicable diseases and improve mental health (WHO, 2016g).

Recommended effective, promising, or emerging interventions from around the world for promoting physical activity: (Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group, 2012b)

  • Informational approaches: community-wide and mass media campaigns, short physical activity messages targeting key community sites
  • Behavioral and social approaches: introducing social support for physical activity within communities and worksites
  • School-based strategies: physical education, classroom activities, after-school sports and active transport to school
  • Environmental and policy approaches: creation and improvement of access to places for physical activity with informational outreach activities, community-scale and street-scale urban design and land use, active transport policy and practices, community-wide policies and planning

It would help to guide development of policies and programs to increase activity levels by a continued improvement in monitoring physical activity (Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group, 2012c)

Denmark: Copenhagen Bicycle Strategy[edit | edit source]

With the program “Good, Better, Best”, Copenhagen is working to further improve its world leading cycling system as the city aimed to reach the goal of becoming the world’s best bicycle city before the end of 2015 (Cycling Embassy of Denmark, 2012). The bicycle is the most used form of transport with an average share of 36% for trips to work or educational institutions. Yearly health benefits of cycling in Copenhagen are 228 000 000 € (The City of Copenhagen, 2011). Due to the fact that the citizens of the region are such diligent cyclists, Copenhagen estimates that it has one million fewer sick days (Cycling Embassy of Denmark, 2015).

Qatar: National Sports Day[edit | edit source]

Particularly among Arabic adults living in Middle Eastern countries, low levels of physical activity were found (WHO, 2014). For instance, in Qatar the prevalence of physical activity among adult men is 63% while it is only 43% among women (Global Physical Activity Observatory, 2012). When developing strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle, individual resources and barriers have to be considered for successful program implementation (Donnelly & Al-Thani, 2015). Factors that impede physical activity in Arabian countries occur at different levels: not only on the individual level (e.g. health status, lack of time) but also on the cultural/social/policy level (e.g. especially for women, their traditional roles, lack of social support or use of housemaids) and the environmental level (e.g. lack of exercise facilities, hot temperatures). Factors that promote physical activity were: Muslim religion, wish to have well-trained bodies, and having a good social network (Benjamin & Donnelly, 2013).

Since 2012, the second Tuesday in February of each year a national Sports Day takes place, when every citizen of Qatar is encouraged to participate in sporting activities with family and colleagues. It aims to promote sports and to educate how to increase physical activity to reduce health risks. Hundreds of activities and sport day events are organized by many government ministries and private sector companies such as Qatar Olympic Committee. Countless free sporting sessions and competitions are available for all, which is why the day is also viewed as an opportunity to bring communities closer together. As a reminder of Qatar’s ancient sporting heritage and culture, National Sport Day also focuses traditional Al Shawahef rowing championships (Government of Qatar, 2017). By declaring this national holiday living an active lifestyle has been clearly communicated and supported by the Qatarian government (Donnelly & Al-Thani, 2015).

References[edit | edit source]

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