10 key facts

  1. a lazy lifestyle increases the risk of serious illness

  2. we’ve reversed nature,

    we used to move in order to eat,

    now we can eat without moving

  3. globally 1 in 4 adults are not active enough

  4. there is a large shift to less physically demanding work and a more sedentary lifestyle

  5. urbanisation and advances in technology have led to reduced exercise

  6. the World Health Organisation estimate that more than 80% of the world’s adolescent population is insufficiently active

  7. today’s children may be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents

  8. inactivity is one of the leading preventable causes of premature death

  9. the World Health Organisation state that insufficient physical activity is a key risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes

  10. for all adults aged 18+ the World Health Organisation recommend:

    • 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity
    • for additional health benefits adults should increase their moderate intensity physical activity to 300 minutes per week
    • muscle strengthening involving the major muscle groups should be done on 2 or more days a week
    • adults with poor mobility should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls 3 or more days a week