? What kind of harm will lack of physical activity do to human health?
Lack of physical activity is the main potential cause of death, disease and disability. According to the preliminary data of a WHO risk factor study, static lifestyle is one of the top ten causes of death and disability. Every year, more than 2 million people around the world die because of lack of physical activity. In every country in the world, 65%-85% of adults suffer from health damage due to insufficient physical activity. Static lifestyle will increase the mortality rate of all causes, double the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, and significantly increase the risk of colon cancer, hypertension, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety.
In many fast-growing cities, congestion, poverty, crime, poor traffic and air quality, lack of parks, sidewalks, sports and exercise facilities and other safe areas make it difficult for people to carry out sports and exercise. For example, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 70% people lack physical activity. Even in rural areas of developing countries, it is becoming more and more common to spend spare time in a static way, such as watching TV. Coupled with other lifestyle changes, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases will eventually increase. Low-and middle-income countries are more affected by these diseases and other non-communicable diseases. In developing countries, NCDs account for 77% of all deaths. And these diseases are still growing. They will increasingly affect the health care system, resources and economy of all countries in the world. Many countries trying to control infectious diseases and other development problems will have to use their scarce resources to deal with non-communicable diseases.