Impact

Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for
noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and death worldwide.  Alternately, regular
physical activity reduces risk of many types of cancer by 8–28%; heart disease
and stroke by 19%; diabetes by 17%, depression and dementia by 28–32%.  It
is estimated that 4–5 million deaths per year could be averted if the global
population was more active.

One in 4 adults and 4 in 5 adolescents don’t do enough
physical activity. Women and girls generally are less active than men and boys,
widening health inequalities. Older adults and people living with disabilities
are also less likely to be active and miss out on the physical, mental and
social health benefits. Physical inactivity burdens society through the
hidden and growing cost of medical care and loss of productivity.

WHO developed an economic analysis which predicts
that nearly 500 million new cases of preventable major NCDs will occur
globally between 2020 and  2030 if the prevalence of physical inactivity
does not change. These NCDs will cost an estimated US $300 billion in
healthcare costs alone in that 11 year period, or about
US$ 27 billion per year. These estimates do not include the
significant indirect costs including loss of productivity.

Failing to increase levels of physical activity will
negatively impact attainment of global targets as well as multiple SDGs.