At least 60 per cent of world's population does not achieve the minimum recommendation for physical activity

Source: World Health Organization

There is convincing evidence that being physically active protects against bowel cancer and also against obesity. Being physically active also probably protects against cancers of the breast (post menopause) and endometrium [WCRF/AICR Expert Report]. Obesity alone is linked to a number of cancers including bowel, oesophagus, pancreas, kidney, endometrium and breast (post menopause).

Physical inactivity is estimated to cause 2 million deaths worldwide annually. The prevalence of physical inactivity in adults globally is 17 per cent (range 11 to 24 per cent). The highest rates of inactivity were in European WHO member States with low child and high adult mortality (e.g. Hungary, Latvia, Russian Federation and Ukraine) and the lowest rate of inactivity was in a high mortality region of Africa (e.g. Congo, Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe).

An estimate of the prevalence globally of some, but insufficient activity (<2.5 hours per week of moderate activity) is 41 per cent (range 31 to 51 per cent).

Physical activity declines with age, and starts to decline from adolescence. Inactivity tends to be higher among girls and women.