The world’s leading health organisation has sounded the alarm on rising physical inactivity rates, as a new study reveals one in three adults aren’t moving their bodies enough.
According to the international research team behind the study, which drew on more than 500 population-based surveys across 163 countries and territories, things are headed in the wrong direction.
The research, published in the journal The Lancet Global Health, found that nearly 1.8 billion adults (31%) worldwide, are at risk of disease due to lack of physical activity.
This figure has risen from around 26% in 2010, and from 23% in 2000. If this trend continues, physical inactivity levels will reach 35% by 2030.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that adults get 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
Riding a bike meets the physiological parameters for moderate-intensity exercise, and research has shown that riding an e-bike does, too.
Adults who don’t meet these physical activity guidelines are at heightened risk of non-communicable diseases including heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes, dementia and certain cancers such as breast and colon.
“Physical inactivity is a silent threat to global health, contributing significantly to the burden of chronic diseases,” says Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO. “We need to find innovative ways to motivate people to be more active, considering factors like age, environment, and cultural background.”
The highest rates of physical inactivity (48%) were found in the high-income Asia Pacific region, followed by South Asia at 45%.
Previous research has found that physical activity is still more common among women at 34% compared to 29% of men.
Integrating bike riding into everyday life is one of the easiest and time-effective ways to clock up 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
Whether it’s doing the school run on an-e cargo bike or pedalling into the office a few times a week, more Australians are realising the physical benefits of bikes for transport.
For tips on how to develop these healthy habits, check out our Ride2Work page, our e-bike campaign page or our tips for commuting in winter.
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