The World Health Organisation has said at least 500 million people are liable to develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes, or other non-communicable diseases attributable to physical inactivity, between 2020 and 2030.
This revelation is according to the WHO’s global status report on physical activity 2022, data from 194 countries and warned that if necessary action not taken, the cost of illnesses will total U.S. $27 billion a year between 2020 and 2030.
“Less than 50 per cent of countries have a national physical activity policy, of which less than 40 per cent are operational. Only 30 per cent of countries have national physical activity guidelines for all age groups.
“While nearly all countries report a system for monitoring physical activity in adults, 75 per cent of countries monitor physical activity among adolescents, and less than 30 per cent monitor physical activity in children under-five years
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“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,” the global health body said.
As it stands, countries surveyed are mandated to prioritise physical activity as key to improving health and tackling the NCDs, integrate physical activity into all relevant policies and develop tools, guidance and training to improve implementation.
