Discover Healthy Wellness Tips for Physical Activity

A recent study published in The Lancet revealed that the global prevalence of insufficient Physical activity ( PA ) among adults has been on the rise since 2000 . The report indicated an increase from 23.4 % in 2000 to 31.3 % in 2022 . Notably , the percentage saw a substantial rise in India , from 22.3 % to 49.4 % during the same period . Insufficient PA is defined as less than 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity in a week , which is crucial for protecting the heart by making it work more than usual . The importance of PA in preventing various diseases is well - documented , with cardiometabolic diseases and cancers being among them . It is worth mentioning that activities like yoga are not considered as PA . The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram ( MCG ) introduced an open - air gym for the public in Gurgaon , India , to promote physical activity among residents on April 18 , 2018.

The data used in the study were sourced from large population - based surveys funded by the ministry of health and family welfare , utilizing standard global tools and protocols for accurate measurements . Assessing PA on a population level poses a significant challenge due to the varying intensity and time spent on different activities . Wearable devices are increasingly being used to measure PA in surveys , although operational challenges still exist in this method . Despite the difficulties in measurement , the study highlighted a decline in PA in India , with rural populations displaying higher PA levels compared to urban areas . Men were found to be more active than women , and the majority of PA occurred in the work domain rather than during leisure time or in the discretionary domain.

The transition towards a more sedentary lifestyle in India is evident , with factors like rapid urbanization and changes in occupational patterns contributing to a decrease in work - based PA . Encouraging PA in the discretionary domain is essential to offset these declines . Creating systems to facilitate PA , such as promoting cycle use , making stairs more accessible , and building more neighborhood parks , can help in fostering a physically active lifestyle . Public gyms and fitness events play a role in promoting PA , but a collective effort is required to make PA a habit among the population . It is imperative for urban planning and design to prioritize health and PA , especially in the development of smart cities.

The study underlines the urgent need to address the rising trend of physical inactivity in India , with a goal of achieving a 10 % reduction by 2025 . The responsibility lies not only with governments at various levels but also with individuals to prioritize their health and well - being . Initiatives like partial automation of household chores for women and promoting PA in schools and workplaces can contribute to making PA a regular part of daily life . Ultimately , the journey towards a physically active lifestyle begins with individual choices and a collective shift in mindset towards prioritizing health.