The World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm after new data revealed that one-third of the adults worldwide, or 1.8 billion people, did not meet recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. The WHO said the findings indicate a worrying trend of physical inactivity among adults, which they said, has increased 5 percentage points between 2010 and 2022. 

The WHO warned that if these levels of inactivity continue to rise to a projected 35 percent by 2030, the world will remain off track from meeting the global target to reduce physical inactivity by 2030. 

The WHO recommends that adults have 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or its equivalent, per week. Adding physical activity to weekly schedules can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes, dementia and cancers.

“These new findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease, and improve mental health and well-being through increased physical activity,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general for the WHO. “We must renew our commitment to increasing levels of physical activity and prioritizing bold action, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this worrying trend.”

According to the WHO, the highest rates of physical inactivity were observed in the high-income Asia Pacific region at just 48 percent, followed by South Asia at 45 percent. High-income Western countries had an inactivity rate of 28 percent, while Oceania had a 14 percent. 

The WHO noted that physical inactivity is still more common among women globally than men, with inactivity rates of 34 percent compared with 29 percent, and in some countries, this difference is as much as 20 percentage points. 

People over 60 were found to be less active than other adults, which the WHO said underscores the importance of promoting physical activity for older adults.

“Physical inactivity is a silent threat to global health, contributing significantly to the burden of chronic diseases,” said Dr. Rüdiger Krech, director of health promotion at the WHO. “We need to find innovative ways to motivate people to be more active, considering factors like age, environment and cultural background. By making physical activity accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for all, we can significantly reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases and create a population that is healthier and more productive.”

The WHO reports many countries are making an effort to improve these results, with 22 countries identified as likely to reach the global target of reducing inactivity by 15 percent by 2030. Despite this trend, the WHO is calling on countries to strengthen their policy implementation to promote and enable physical activity through grassroots and community sports, active recreation and transport.