42% of Men and 57% of Women in India Aren’t Physically Active Enough: Study Results
Engaging in physical activities for fitness isn’t a common practice for many people in India. A recent study, published in the Lancet Global Health journal, reveals that around 42% of men and 57% of women in India are insufficiently physically active. This study, conducted by an international team of researchers including those from the World Health Organisation, also highlights that the South Asian region ranks second highest globally in terms of adults being insufficiently physically active.
The data shows a concerning trend over the years:
In 2000, over 22% of Indian adults were insufficiently physically active.
By 2010, this figure rose to nearly 34%.
If current trends continue, it is projected that by 2030, 60% of Indian adults could be insufficiently physically active.
Global Context Globally, older adults (60 years and above) are increasingly engaging in insufficient physical activity. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. According to the WHO, rising levels of physical inactivity and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle are contributing to the increase in these diseases, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems worldwide.
India’s Health Concerns A 2023 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB), published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal, provides alarming statistics:
In 2021, 101 million people in India were diabetic.
About 315 million had hypertension.
254 million were estimated to have obesity.
185 million were estimated to have high levels of LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol.
These findings underscore the urgent need for promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles to combat the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases in India and globally.
