Lack of Exercise Could Be As Deadly As Cigarettes

A recent study shows that a lack of exercise is causing as many people to die as smoking, around the world. The report claims that close to 33% of all adults do not have enough physical activity in their lifestyle and that causes close to 5.3 million deaths each year.

That makes about one in death in 10 from conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and colon and breast cancer. Researchers from the study said the problem was so severe today that health officials should treat it as if it were a pandemic.

Researchers also said the problem required a new way of analyzing, suggesting that the general public should be warned of the dangers of not being active instead of just being told about the benefits of exercise.

Thirty-three researchers were drawn for a number of centers across the globe. They also said that all governments must look into ways of making it more convenient to participate in physical activity. The study recommended that 150 minutes of moderate exercise was needed weekly, which includes cycling, gardening or brisk walking.

The study concluded that people in countries with higher average incomes exercised the least. The United Kingdom was among the worst with nearly two thirds of all adults being judged as not exercising sufficiently. The researchers did admit that comparisons between one country and another were difficult because comparing how activity is estimated may differ from one place to another.

Nevertheless, researchers said the challenge globally was a clear one that physical activity should become a priority in public health across the globe.