The Risk Of Inactivity

Not participating in enough sport and physical activity during our lives can often lower our life expectancy and quality of life.

People who aren’t doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week are defined as being physically inactive. Is that you?

According to the World Health Organisation, physical inactivity causes 2 million deaths a year worldwide; and in Australia, it’s been ranked second only to tobacco smoking, in terms of the effect it has on disease and poor health.

Research has shown that:

  • Physically inactive Australian adults cost the healthcare system an avoidable $1.5 billion a year
  • Almost 9 million adults do not do enough physical activity on a daily basis
  • Not doing enough physical activity doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and obesity, and increases the risk of breast and bowel cancer, depression and anxiety.

Low levels of physical activity are a major factor leading to ill health and even death.

On the other hand, being physically active helps to improve mental and musculoskeletal health and reduces other risk factors such as being overweight, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

Find out about the health benefits of being active and how to get more physical activity into your day.