Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy

Abstract

Summary Background Strong evidence shows that physical inactivity increases the risk of many adverse health conditions, including the world’s major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) of coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers, and shortens life expectancy. Because much of the world’s population is inactive, this presents a major public health problem. We aimed to quantify the impact of physical inactivity on these major NCDs by estimating how much disease could be averted if those inactive were to become active and to estimate gain in life expectancy, at the population level. Methods Using conservative assumptions, we calculated population attributable fractions (PAF) associated with physical inactivity for each of the major NCDs, by country, to estimate how much disease could be averted if physical inactivity were eliminated, and used life table analysis to estimate gains in life expectancy of the population. Findings Worldwide, we estimate that physical inactivity is responsible for 6% of the burden of disease from CHD (range: 3.2% in South-east Asia to 7.8% in the Eastern Mediterranean region); 7% of type 2 diabetes (3.9% to 9.6%), 10% of breast cancer (5.6% to 14.1%), and 10% of colon cancer (5.7% to 13.8%). Inactivity is responsible for 9% of premature mortality (5.1% to 12.5%), or >5.3 of the 57 million deaths that occurred worldwide in 2008. If inactivity were not eliminated, but decreased instead by 10% or 25%, >533,000 and >1.3 million deaths, respectively, may be averted each year. By eliminating physical inactivity, life expectancy of the world’s population is estimated to increase by 0.68 (0.41 to 0.95) years. Interpretation Physical inactivity has a major health impact on the world. Elimination of physical inactivity would remove between 6% and 10% of the major NCDs of CHD, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers, and increase life expectancy.

Empowering aspects for healthy food and physical activity habits: adolescents’ experiences of a school-based intervention in a disadvantaged urban community

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