Inactivity 'killing as many as smoking'

[lastlid]

"A lack of exercise is now causing as many deaths as smoking across the world, a study suggests.

The report, published in the Lancet to coincide with the build-up to the Olympics, estimates that about a third of adults are not doing enough physical activity, causing 5.3m deaths a year.

That equates to about one in 10 deaths from diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and breast and colon cancer.

Researchers said the problem was now so bad it should be treated as a pandemic.

And they said tackling it required a new way of thinking, suggesting the public needed to be warned about the dangers of inactivity rather than just reminded of the benefits of it.

The team of 33 researchers drawn from centres across the world also said governments needed to look at ways to make physical activity more convenient, affordable and safer."

"Global challenge
It is recommended that adults do 150 minutes of moderate exercise , such as brisk walking, cycling or gardening, each week.

The Lancet study found people in higher income countries were the least active with those in the UK among the worst as nearly two thirds of adults were judged not to be doing enough."




http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-18876880

[lastlid]

Britons 'Among World's Laziest People'

"The UK has one of the world's least physically active populations, according to new research.
Just over 63% of people in the UK fail to meet recommended levels of physical activity, figures show.
The finding comes from a series of research papers that also warn that inactivity now causes as many deaths worldwide as smoking or obesity.
Britain's high inactivity rate contrasts with France, where fewer than 33% fail to do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity such as brisk walking, each week.
Even the United States has more active citizens - fewer than 41% take no exercise."
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/britons-amo...231131309.html

[Doc Alan]

For an individual, smoking is more hazardous than physical inactivity. But because a quarter of the world’s population smoke, and over a third are too inactive, it’s estimated that each contributes to about 5 million deaths a year. All this, shamelessly timed to coincide with the Olympic games, is in a series of articles in The Lancet ( http://www.thelancet.com/series/physical-activity ).
We should all know the health benefits of exercise ( http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/P...or-adults.aspx ).
It’s ironic that we evolved to benefit from exercise yet many avoid it whenever they can. The Lancet workers have opted to show the harm caused by inactivity – estimates based on self-reporting from most countries in the world, and obviously related to the effects of obesity.
Even if the estimates err on the side of caution, it’s alarming to discover that 2 out of 3 of the UK adult population fail to meet recommended levels of physical activity. In South-East Asia it’s 1 in 5 – estimates for the Philippines are not stated.
About 2 out of 3 of all deaths worldwide are due to “ non-communicable diseases “ ( NCDs ) – mainly heart, cardiovascular, diabetes, cancers ( especially breast and bowel ), and lung disease ( bronchitis /emphysema ). It’s now estimated that physical inactivity causes up to 1 in 10 NCDs and the same proportion of premature deaths. But being physically active contributes to physical and mental wellbeing, better quality of life, improved sleep and less stress. It’s a lifestyle choice that need take no more than 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week, 20 minutes of vigorous exercise 3 days a week, or some combination of the two.
I don’t recommend sitting down for two or three hours to read these original articles, but inactivity is causing problems which seem destined to get worse – worldwide , 4 out of 5 adolescents are too inactive. Surely it’s worth giving some thought to this. Worries and stress over relationships, work, lack of money, and problems with visas might not be solved by getting fitter.... but you will feel and cope better by investing at least a couple of hours a week in exercise - of a type you chose to be enjoyable .

[lastlid]

Just been out for a brisk walk around the bay.

[Doc Alan]

Just been out for a brisk walk around the bay.

Great, and I'll bet you're glad you did .

[lastlid]

Great, and I'll bet you're glad you did .

Yes. I am a great believer in the feelgood factor that is engendered by exercise.