WHO says watching football is not as good as playing sports.

Fans in Spain watch the England-Slovenia match on June 25 - Photo: REUTERS

On June 26, research by the WHO and other scientists estimated that one-third of the global adult population does not get enough exercise, posing a health threat.

Accordingly, more than 31% of adults, equivalent to 1.8 billion people, did not exercise as recommended in 2022, an increase of 5 percentage points compared to 2010.

"Physical inactivity is a silent threat to global health, contributing significantly to the burden of chronic disease. Unfortunately, the world is not heading in the right direction," AFP quoted Ruediger Krech, director of the WHO's health promotion department, as saying.

With the world of sports busy with Euro 2024, Copa America, and the Olympics, Mr. Krech reminded everyone that "watching sports is not as good as physical activity."

"Don't just sit in your chair, get up and move around; every step counts," he said.

For good health, the WHO recommends that all adults dedicate at least 150 minutes per week to moderate-intensity physical activity.

Activities could include walking, cycling, even doing housework, or at least 75 minutes of more vigorous exercise such as running.

Krech stated that failing to exercise at this level increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and mental health problems.

According to research published in The Lancet Global Health , if current trends continue, the level of physical inactivity among adults is predicted to increase by 35% by 2030, contradicting the WHO's goal of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by the end of the decade.

The WHO emphasizes that changing individual behavior is not enough and calls on countries to promote increased community sports activities, as well as walking, cycling, and public transport.

The aforementioned study is considered the most comprehensive on the issue of physical activity. A group of international researchers compiled findings from more than 500 other studies, involving 5.7 million people across 163 countries and territories.

Levels of inactivity vary widely between countries. For example, 66% of adults in the United Arab Emirates are not physically active enough, while this figure is below 3% in Malawi. There are also gender differences. Nearly 34% of women worldwide are inactive, compared to 29% of men.

There are many reasons for the overall decrease in physical activity, including people walking less, working more in front of computers, and spending more time looking at entertainment screens.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/who-noi-xem-da-banh-khong-bang-tap-the-thao-20240626165639859.htm