World Health Organization points to New Zealand’s unacceptably low physical inactivity levels

ExerciseNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie has highlighted New Zealand’s unacceptably high level of physical inactivity, revealed in the first ever World Health Organisation (WHO) report on global physically inactivity.

The newly published report, The Global status report on physical activity 2022, shows that 95% of New Zealand girls aged 11 to 17 are physically inactive compared to 85% of boys the same age. For those 18 and over, 45% of women are inactive and 39% of men don’t exercise enough.

In addition, the report shows that among New Zealander aged 70 and over, 62% of women and 55% of do not exercise enough.

Concerned that New Zealanders are becoming less active, resulting in rising health costs and lower quality of life, Beddie comments "New Zealand is actually one of the worst countries in the world for being energetic and exercising. 48% of Kiwi adults don't hit global activity targets.

“But it's even worse among children and teenagers an alarming percentage of them are not active enough. The global average is 21% for adults and 81% for kids and adolescents.

 “Lost production caused by physical inactivity costs the New Zealand economy $2.3 billion a year, according to a Deloitte report this year. New Zealand is often seen as a sports-mad country but Aotearoa is becoming a nation of inactive people.”

Coinciding with the release of the report, the WHO has asked the New Zealand Government to collaborate with the exercise industry to improve activity levels.

Physical inactivity is an established risk factor for premature mortality and several non-communicable diseases. It has been estimated that physical inactivity causes six to 10% of the cases of premature mortality, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer and colon cancer globally.

Beddie sees The Global status report on physical activity 2022 report as being significant for showing extent to which governments are implementing recommendations to increase physical activity across all ages and abilities.

The report paints a concerning overall picture, estimating that physical inactivity will cause almost 500 million people globally to develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes or other noncommunicable diseases by 2030 and will cost $27 billion each year.

Beddie adds “the benefits of physical activity are tremendous, not only for the physical and mental health of individuals, but also for society, the environment and the economy.”

Click here to view the The Global status report on physical activity 2022 report.