I woke up this morning to the Today Programme heralding a study that has proven: a lack of exercise is responsible for nearly 10% of global deaths (5.3 million of the 57 million deaths worldwide). According to the research, which was published in the medical journal, The Lancet, inactivity causes roughly the same number of deaths as smoking does.
More specifically, the study found that the cause of death in these cases was coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer.
There was a notable difference in activity levels among nations, with Swaziland (69% inactive) and Saudi Arabia (68.8% inactive) topping the list. The UK was not far behind with 63.3% of the population failing to engage in physical activity. The US was slightly better with 40.5% of the population remaining inactive. 34% of Canadians are inactive.
Activity is clearly beneficial to health and quality of life, and has now been proven in essence to stave off death.
credit: D. Sharon Pruitt
But what does active mean?
30 minutes of moderate exercise (think a brisk walk) five times a week OR 15 minutes of vigorous exercise (really working hard and getting your sweat on) three times a week. That’s all it takes.
Studies also prove that this exercise doesn’t have to be undertaken all at once. It can be divided into two sessions of 15 minutes or even three sessions of 10 minutes. That means a couple of short walks throughout the day! Try a short break to walk around the block, getting off public transport early on your commute, or parking your car in the furthest space from the storefront.
Rather than being saddened by this study, I think we should embrace it! How wonderful is it to think that we have the power and control to take charge of our health by doing something simple to address it!?
So try using one of these motivational methods, and get out there for a big old legs shake-out right now!
Music is proven to improve your workouts
Use rewards for your workout accomplishments
Set goals and remember them to maintain your fitness commitment
Have a wonderful Workout Wednesday!
What do you think about this research?
Do you fit into the active or inactive category?
Any fun workout plans today?
I think the idea that exercise has to be formal is what makes people avoid it. exercise can be a walk to the store or just taking those extra steps each day!
Definitely! And there are so many excuses that they take up more time than taking short walk
Wow I love your attitude- embrace the control we have over our health! So true! I found it amazing when I used to work in an office and some incredibly talented, high up managers would be overweight, with smoking and drinking problems. They could run a company but not manage their own health.
I hope there will to be a global change in attitude on a big scale. It is so simple 3 x 10 minute walks a day to reap benefits!
I share your hope, Jess! It would be great to see more people taking charge of their health!
p.s. I checked out Australia’s results, and it says 38% of Australians are inactive. I don’t know why I find it particularly interesting to know about the nation I live in, but I do… so thought you might find that interesting!
Hi there! Found your lovely site while I was looking for fitness related blogs. I am a big health buff too and I really don’t understand why some (or a lot) of people are finding it hard to get their bums off the couch! I’ve been trying to inspire friends and family to go for runs and play sports and it’s slowly working! Pheww…
Love your blog!
Looking fwd for more inspiring articles. Cheers! Keep it up!
Thanks so much for the lovely comment!
And well done for getting your friends and family to get moving with you!
Hello there, i love your thoughts and think the same – I can feed a family of 5 three teenagers with about $70 a week – i could lots of healthy Indian meals at home and there is always tons of left overs. It makes me sad to see so many people spend tons of money of fast foods day after day – when a simple meal cooked together at home with love would be so good for the family.
Large Indian meals are a great idea!
And you’re right that there’s a positive social aspect to home-cooked foods as well. Sitting down to dinner as a family is a wonderful experience!
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