Physical Activity in High Income Countries

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]

Barriers to Physical Activity[edit | edit source]

Economic Burden[edit | edit source]

Promoting Physical Activity[edit | edit source]

Denmark: Copenhagen Bicycle Strategy[edit | edit source]

Qatar: National Sports Day[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

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