Home

Promoting physical activity

Print PDF

The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is increasing rapidly, with unhealthy lifestyles as one of the main causes for the increase. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for premature death globally.

In the Region there are low levels of physical activity and a growing number of people living sedentary lifestyles. The low uptake of physical activity has a direct influence on weight gain, which in turn, amplifies the risks of developing hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

In some countries of the Region, the percentage of adults who are physically inactive exceeds 70%, with women being physically less active than men (WHO, STEPS survey). The percentage of adolescents also who are physically inactive in some countries has reached 40%.

In May 2004, the World Health Assembly endorsed resolution WHA 57.17: Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health, which calls on Member States to develop national plans to promote physical activity. Subsequently, in May 2008, the Sixty-first World Health Assembly endorsed resolution WHA61.14 dealing with the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases.

Furthermore, the Political Declaration arising out of the United Nations high-level meeting on noncommunicable disease prevention and control calls on Member States to take action to reduce physical inactivity and suggests mass education of the general public as one of the “best buys”, in other words, an intervention that is cost–effective, feasible and has health gains.

A voluntary global noncommunicable disease target has been set to reduce physical inactivity by 10% by 2025.

  • «
  •  Start 
  •  Prev 
  •  1 
  •  2 
  •  3 
  •  Next 
  •  End 
  • »