Women faring worse than men in a nation of couch potatoes
NEARLY four in 10 Irish women are risking their health by not exercising enough, a global study reveals today.
More than a quarter of men are also failing to clock up enough physical activity.
Ireland is ranked high among high-income countries with too many couch potatoes.
Our sedentary habits are leaving us at higher risk of a range of diseases, according to the ‘Lancet Global Health’ journal.
It found worldwide there has been no improvement in levels of physical activity since 2001.
People need at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, such as cycling or brisk walking, every week.
They should also aim to do strength exercises, on two or more days a week, that work all the major muscles including legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms.
More than a quarter of the world’s adult population – some 1.4 billion – are not active enough, putting them at greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and cancer.
The study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found 32.7pc of the Irish population are inactive.
It compares with 49pc in the US and 36pc in the UK.
But it is as high as 37.1pc among women and 28.3pc for men in this country.
Women were less active than men in all regions of the world, apart from east and south-east Asia.
Overall, in high-income western countries 42pc of women are inactive compared with 31pc of men.
The data shows that if current trends continue, then we will fail to meet a global activity
A quarter of the world’s population are not active enough
target of a 10pc relative reduction in insufficient physical activity by 2025.
The new study is based on self-reported activity levels.
It includes activity at work and at home, for transport, and during leisure time, in adults aged 18 years and older from 358 population-based surveys in 168 countries, including 1.9 million participants.
In four countries, more than half of adults were insufficiently active – Kuwait (67pc), American Samoa (53pc), Saudi Arabia (53pc), and Iraq (52pc).
Countries with the most active populations were Uganda and Mozambique, with 94pc reaching targets. “Addressing inequalities in physical activity levels between men and women will be critical to achieving global activity targets,” said Dr Fiona Bull, of the WHO.
“It will require interventions to promote and improve women’s access to opportunities that are safe, affordable and culturally acceptable.”
In wealthier countries, the transition towards more sedentary occupations, recreation and the car could explain the higher levels of inactivity.
The getirelandactive.ie website has a public database of sports and recreation facilities.
Experts advise that walking is an easy way to get more exercise. They recommend trying to keep fit by ditching the car for short journeys, walking all or part of your journey to work, getting off the bus or train a stop early, and planning longer walks at weekends.
Deirdre McDonald, a Weight Watchers coach in Carlow who lost three stone, said she frequently has to try to motivate people who are in a no-exercise rut to get back moving again.
“I urge them to start by finding find ways to make it a part of their day. Do 10 minutes in the morning. If you say to exercise for an hour it is more daunting. Do another 10 minutes at lunchtime. That’s 20 minutes clocked up.”