A quarter of Earth’s population at risk of disease due to lack of exercise, World Health Organisation says

One in four people at risk of disease due to lack of exercise, World Health Organisation says

Leading a sedentary lifestyle dramatically increases the risk of contracting a chronic disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report that monitored the physical activity of 2 million people across 168 countries. The study found 23% of people across the globe aren't doing enough exercise. As a result, there was an increased risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, dementia and some cancers. In four territories (Kuwait, American Samoa, Saudi Arabia and Iraq), as many as half of all adults were found to be dangerously inactive. The global inactivity figures make for grim reading:

• 27·5% of people in general
• 23.5% of men worldwide
• 31% of women worldwide

In western countries such as the UK, average inactivity was more than a third. The study's authors sought to explain why:

"In wealthier countries, the transition towards more sedentary occupations and personal motorised transportation probably explains the higher levels of inactivity."

In developed nations, the level of inactivity was higher - with 36.8% of people not getting enough exercise. The best performing (and most active) country was Finland, and the worst performing country was Cyprus. The WHO has clear activity guidelines. They suggest 'at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week'. Here is JOE's eight-week strength-training plan, equipped to provide you with more than enough activity to burn fat and increase strength. The study was published in the Lancet Global Health Journal.