Physical inactivity and NCDs: Burden, epidemiology, and priority interventions

Abstract

Regular physical activity improves physical and mental health. For NCDs, physical activity is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, a number of cancers (including breast and colon), diabetes, as well as maintaining a healthy weight. In addition to health-related benefits, physical activity provides a range of additional social and economic benefits, and therefore also contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals. This chapter describes definitions of physical activity and related terms, recommended levels of physical activity, the WHO recommendations on physical activity for children, adolescents and adults, components of the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030, interventions at the individual level and indicators for monitoring and evaluation. The importance of multisectoral action is highlighted.