WHO wants to combat physical inactivity in Europe
Many Europeans do too little physical activity - with drastic consequences for their health. In the next 10 years, the WHO therefore wants to implement a program to promote physical activity.
One-third of adults and even two-thirds of young people in Europe take too little exercise, estimates the WHO. This has consequences for health: The risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes, breast and colon cancer increases.
The health ministers of the 53 member states in the WHO European Region have therefore adopted a strategy to promote physical activity. Over the next 10 years, residents are to be motivated to engage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. According to experts, this should significantly improve the risk of heart disease.
It is also intended to reduce the number of overweight or even obese people, the proportion of which already exceeds 50% in most of the countries.
People from disadvantaged backgrounds and ethnic minorities, as well as people with physical disabilities, are particularly often affected by lack of exercise and obesity. The reasons are often economic hardship and lack of or unsafe places to exercise.
To implement the strategy, governments should promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior; create safe and attractive environments for physical activity; provide equal opportunities for physical activity for all residents; and facilitate physical activity and reduce existing barriers.
More information is available here: The WHO European Region strategy for physical activity promotion (2016-2025).
