According to a study published in The Lancet Global Health, there are serious health hazards associated with the roughly 50% of adult Indians who do not exercise. According to the report, there was a notable increase in inactivity between 2000 and 2022, with women being more affected than males. City doctors blame bad diets and sedentary office jobs for this. Cancer, mental health problems, and cardiovascular disorders are all made more likely by inactivity. In order to address this developing challenge, experts emphasize the need of frequent exercise and healthy lifestyles.

Results of a recent study

Nearly half of Indian adults do not engage in the required levels of physical activity as set by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a thorough study that was just published in The Lancet Global Health. This worrying trend raises serious health concerns and draws attention to the nation’s alarming rise in sedentary lifestyles.

Unsettling Increase in Inactivity

The study, which examined data from 197 nations between 2000 and 2022, reveals a notable increase in adults in India who do not exercise regularly. Compared to 22.4% in 2000, 45.4% of Indian people were sedentary in 2022—a huge rise. With 52.6% of women and 38.4% of men being inactive, this increase is more noticeable among women. By 2030, the percentage of people who are not active could start to rise alarmingly, to 55%.

Dangers to Your Health from Inactivity

Adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, according to WHO recommendations. A number of serious health problems, including as dementia, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several malignancies, can result from not following these recommendations. Adults who are sedentary are much more vulnerable to these illnesses, which can have crippling and even fatal effects.

Sedentary Ways of Life and Office Employment

The amount of time spent in modern offices is mostly attributed to idleness. Doctors in cities emphasize how having easy access to snacks and cell phones might worsen sedentary behaviors by limiting physical activity. Dr. Hitesh Bhandari of the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre reports that a rise in patients with orthopedic problems linked to poor diets and inactivity has been observed in a Times of India study.

Effects on the Health of Orthopedics

We see a significant percentage of patients with orthopedic problems in our outpatient department (OPD) who lead sedentary lives and eat poorly. There are typically 15 to 25 of these individuals in a given month. This suggests that these illnesses are becoming more common,” Dr. Bhandari stated. He went on to say, “Junk food consumption and sedentary lifestyles are major causes of diseases. These include osteoporosis, in which inactivity and a bad diet can weaken bones, and osteoarthritis, which is made worse by obesity brought on by an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. Another prevalent problem is chronic lower back discomfort, which is brought on by bad posture and weak core muscles from inactivity.A sedentary lifestyle has the greatest impact on orthopedic health in adults between the ages of 40 and 65. This age group develops sedentary habits and works at desk jobs frequently, which can result in musculoskeletal issues.

Cardiovascular Issues

Max Super Speciality Hospital’s Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted the cardiovascular dangers associated with inactivity, which can impact the health of the heart and brain. “Older age groups, especially those 40 years of age and older, are more severely affected by the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle. However, younger groups’ lifestyle choices have changed significantly in the last few years. Since many members of the younger generation work alone in front of computers, they are also being impacted. Among them, virtual gatherings and walking less are increasingly commonplace. Dr. Singh stated, “At least 80% of the patients that come into my OPD have sedentary lifestyles.

Effects on Younger Population and Women

Compared to men, women typically lead more sedentary lives. Many people have the idea that doing housework requires a lot of physical exercise. “Compared to men, women typically lead a more sedentary lifestyle,” Dr. Singh continued. “Many women claim to be highly active because they consider doing home chores and working in the kitchen to be physically demanding jobs. Nevertheless, this impression is untrue.”

Increasing Rate of Cancer

The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS)’s Dr. Anoop Saraya emphasized how improper eating patterns and genetic predispositions contribute to an increased risk of illness. “Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver fibrosis, scarring, and cell loss, is more common in people with fatty livers. When left untreated, this illness can progress to cirrhosis, and people who have cirrhotic liver are more likely than the general population to acquire liver cancer. According to Dr. Saraya, the transition from fatty liver to liver cancer might take up to 25 years.

Younger individuals are becoming more likely to get cancer, according to Dr. Pragya Shukla of the Delhi State Cancer Institute. “The incidence of cancer is on the rise among younger people. Sedentary lifestyles have an impact on breast and colon cancers, either directly or indirectly, the speaker stated. Modern lifestyles that are sedentary, meaning they involve a lot of sitting and little activity, have been linked to an increased risk of cancer in all age groups, but especially in younger ones.

Repercussions for Mental Health

Reduced physical activity can exacerbate mental health conditions including anxiety and sadness, according to Dr. Praveen Gupta of Fortis Hospital. “Psychological problems can be exacerbated by insufficient exercise, and eating poorly correlated with feelings of anxiety and despair,” he explained. The mental health of an individual can be adversely affected by leading a sedentary lifestyle, and eating meals high in calories but low in nutrients has been linked to stress and depression.

In summary

There are serious health consequences associated with the alarming trend of increased physical inactivity among adult Indians. Fighting this expanding problem requires highlighting the need of regular exercise and better lifestyles. In order to enhance general health and delay the beginning of major diseases, doctors and health experts emphasize that adopting healthier meals, cutting down on sedentary behavior, and increasing physical activity in daily routines are crucial steps.