Sedentary life may be as harmful as smoking

Lack of physical activity is responsible for one out of every ten deaths in the world, almost as tobacco or overweight, according to research published in a special issue of the British medical journal “Lancet”.

Move more – live longer

In 2008, lack of physical activity was the cause of 5.3 million deaths of 57 million registered worldwide. On the eve of the Olympics medical journal emphasizes the sharpness of a difficult problem to resolve.

Health Risks of Sedentary Life
“The role of physical inactivity continues to be underestimated, despite the existing solid evidence of more than 60 years for its impact on health,” said Harold Cole of the University of Texas, who adds that there is still much to be done to be considered no physical effort for real health problem.
According to Dr. I-Min Lee, “Harvard Medical School” in Boston, 6-10% of the four major diseases caused by sedentary life (cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, breast and colon cancer) are due to the fact that less than 150 minutes per week of moderate physical exercise activities, as recommended by the World Health Organization. This recommendation is equal to 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week.

Self- Destruction of Humanity – History of Smoking
According to another study conducted in 122 countries under the leadership of Dr. Pedro University Halal “Pelotas” in Brazil, one third of adults and 4 of every 5 teenagers in the world do not take enough exercise, which increases by 20-30% risk them to gain cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.
“In most countries, lack of exercise increases with age and is greater in women than in men (34% vs. 28%). Lack of physical activity was also increased in high-income countries,” adds Dr. Halal.
There is no miraculous recipe to make people move more. According to Gregory Heath of the University of Tennessee who has studied these operations between 2001 and 2011, the most effective campaigns have had a small press or stun messages such as “Get away, not an elevator.” He cites as an example for walking clubs, the creation of bike lanes or a strict ban on movement of vehicles in urban centers, report Daily Mail.
Increased efforts are needed in low and middle income countries where economic and social changes can be quickly reduced physical activity associated with long work and transport.