Insufficient physical activity - a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases

Regular physical activity helps prevent and treat  non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes  and breast and colon cancer.

It also helps prevent  hypertension, overweight and obesity and can improve mental health,  quality of life and well-being. Yet, much of the world is becoming less  active.

Physical activity is also fundamental to  energy balance and weight control. Globally, about 23 per cent of adults  and 81 per cent of school-going adolescents are not active enough.

Generally, women and girls are less active than men and boys, and older adults are less active than younger adults.

The new guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and  sleep for children under 5 years of age were developed by a WHO panel of  experts.

They assessed the effects on young children of  inadequate sleep, and time spent sitting watching screens or restrained  in chairs and prams. They also reviewed evidence around the benefits of  increased activity levels.

Children under five must spend less  time sitting watching screens, or restrained in prams and seats, get  better quality sleep and have more time for active play if they are to  grow up healthy, according to new guidelines issued by the World Health  Organization (WHO).

Depending on an individual's relative  level of fitness, examples of moderate physical activity could include:  brisk walking, dancing, or household chores. Examples of vigorous  physical activity could be: running, fast cycling, fast swimming, or  moving heavy loads.

People aged 5-17 should have at least 60  minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. More than 60  minutes of physical activity a day brings additional health benefits.

Adults aged 18-64 should do at least 150 minutes of moderately  intense physical activity each week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous  activity throughout the week, or an equivalent combination of moderate  and vigorous activity.

In order to be beneficial for  cardio-respiratory health, all activity should be performed in bouts of  at least 10 minutes duration.

The main recommendations for  adults and older adults are the same. In addition, older adults with  poor mobility should do physical activity to enhance balance and prevent  falls 3 or more days per week.