A recent Lancet study revealed that more than half of India’s adult population is not physically active, and fails to meet the basic exercise requirements recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This growing trend of physical inactivity has become a major threat to the nation’s health, increasing the burden of chronic diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 to 150 minutes of intense activity per week.

“Physical inactivity is a silent threat to global health, contributing significantly to the burden of chronic diseases. This reflects a worrying trend of increasing physical inactivity among adults,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at the World Health Organisation.

A lack of regular physical activity is linked to a number of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular complications.

According to statistics, more than 101 million people in India suffer from diabetes, which is a condition in which the blood sugar level in the body becomes high.

Dr Amit Chaudhry, Senior Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said, “As a nation, we need to work towards a fit and healthy India. By incorporating physical activities into our lifestyle, we are not only taking care of our health but also reducing the burden on the healthcare system.”

Regular exercise strengthens muscles and bones, reducing the risk of osteoporotic fractures, especially in postmenopausal women.

Dr Chowdhary said, “Women, especially in the post-menopausal stage, start losing bone strength rapidly and are vulnerable to various osteoporotic fractures. Exercises like yoga, strength training or any sports activity increase muscle and bone strength, thereby reducing the incidence of such fractures.”

According to Dr Bhavesh Dedhia, Consultant, Critical Care Department, PD Hinduja Hospital, Khar, regular exercise not only prevents and controls non-communicable diseases like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and mental disorders like depression and anxiety, but also improves brain health.

The World Health Organization’s global guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour provide recommendations for all age groups from age five onwards.

According to these guidelines, muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups on two or more days a week may provide additional health benefits.

Despite the clear benefits, around 1.8 billion people worldwide do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, a figure that has been gradually increasing over the past few years.

This number is even higher in India, where around 49.4% of adults are physically inactive, putting them at a higher risk of developing various diseases.

Dr. Dedhia stressed the importance of starting small and gradually increasing physical activity to reach a weekly goal.

“Any activity is better than no activity at all. It’s better to start slowly and do more physical activity in small increments, then gradually increase it to reach a weekly goal,” he advises.

Experts said that by prioritising physical activity, India can work towards a healthier future, reduce the burden on healthcare facilities and improve the quality of life of its citizens.