By Priyanjana Pramanik, MSc.Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Jun 27 2024 In a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health, researchers used data from 163 countries and autonomous territories to investigate the global incidence of inadequate physical activity among adults from 2000 to 2022.
The most recent exercise guidelines from the World Health Organization recommend that adults perform moderate-intensity exercise for 150 minutes or more every week or vigorous activity for at least 75 minutes. About the study Since several countries have collected updated data from 2016 onwards, compiling these findings could yield valuable insights into changes in the global estimates of adult insufficient physical activity.
The model accounted for variability in questionnaire types and included obesity prevalence as a covariate. Estimates were produced for each country and aggregated globally, by region, and by income group. The analysis revealed that nearly a third of adults worldwide were insufficiently physically active in 2022, with a global prevalence of 31.3%. The highest prevalence was in high-income Asia Pacific and South Asia, while the lowest was in Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa.