Decreased daily exercise routine among young adults

Picking up sedentary behaviour, Prof. Ranil Jayawardena says that the majority of the young adults (31 to 40 years) reported a decreased daily exercise routine. The possible reasons for inactivity could be lack of equipment, insufficient spaces to exercise at home, gyms and other sports facilities being closed and being fearful of exposure to COVID-19.

However, he pointed out that people with higher income levels were less likely to report reduced exercise levels. This could be explained by the fact that these people are more likely to have access to their own exercise equipment at home and paid online exercise programmes, which might have helped them to keep to their exercise levels during the restrictions.

Prof. Jayawardena highlighted another important point – the time spent sitting and on screens seemed to be highest in the lower than higher age groups.

“The ‘screen’ and ‘sitting’ time may have increased due to the closure of educational institutions and online teaching. Youngsters may also be spending more time on social media platforms to communicate with their peers owing to social distancing,” he added.

The answer

Whenever there is a break in online sessions, walk around for a few minutes, do lifting with dumbbells or even bottles filled with water and avoid high-calorie snacks such as biscuits and beverages, recommends Prof. Jayawardena, adding that checking one’s weight on a weekly basis would act as a deterrent. In the rural areas, people could do a little gardening as a form of exercise.