Vietnam is still facing a double burden of disease. While the incidence and mortality rates of infectious diseases have decreased, non-communicable diseases, primarily cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, are rapidly increasing. Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in Vietnam, accounting for 77% of all deaths. Notably, the age of death is trending younger.
Non-communicable diseases often lack a specific identifiable cause, but a group of contributing factors, known as risk factors, play a role. These include behavioral risk factors such as smoking, alcohol use, poor nutrition, and lack of physical activity; physiological/metabolic factors such as hypertension and obesity; and environmental factors like poverty, lack of knowledge, aging, urbanization, and globalization, which are underlying causes of the increased risk factors. Additionally, infectious factors (hepatitis B, HPV) and unchangeable factors (age, gender, genes, race, etc.) also contribute to the disease's development.
Lack of physical activity is the fourth leading cause of death. Approximately 3.2 million deaths globally each year are attributed to inactivity. A sedentary individual has a 20-30% increased risk of all causes compared to someone who engages in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily. 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week can reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease by 30%, diabetes by 27%, and breast and colon cancer by 21-25%. It also reduces the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, depression, and helps control weight.
The World Health Organization defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. It includes four main forms: Activity through daily work and activities (manual labor); Mobility (walking, cycling, climbing stairs, etc.); Recreation (physical games, dancing, aerobics, etc.); and Exercise and sports.
The WHO recommends that adults (18-64 years old) engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week (a minimum of 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week) or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity throughout the week. For additional health benefits, adults should increase moderate-intensity physical activity to 300 minutes per week or vigorous-intensity physical activity to 150 minutes per week.
With cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases becoming increasingly prevalent and affecting younger people, maintaining regular physical activity is not just a choice but should become an essential habit in daily life. Depending on their health and occupation, individuals can choose suitable forms of exercise such as walking, cycling, jogging, or participating in sports to improve their physical fitness.
Investing in physical activity today is investing in long-term health, contributing to reducing the burden of disease for individuals, families, and society. Adopting an active and positive lifestyle not only helps prevent cardiovascular disease but also improves quality of life, leading to a healthier and more sustainable community.
Source: https://soyte.camau.gov.vn/bai-khoa-hoc-chinh-tri-va-xa-hoi/tang-cuong-van-dong-the-luc-de-phong-benh-299735
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