Physical activity enhances health and reduces disease risk

Physical activity has beneficial effects on many aspects of health and reduces the risk of a variety of chronic conditions. Physical activity improves physical fitness, psychological well-being and musculoskeletal health (strengthening bones and joints). It enhances the functioning of the immune system, cognitive functioning and the general quality of life (Cavill et al., 2006; Bull et al., 2004). It reduces the risk of heart disease, overweight, diabetes and cancer, and prevents symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress (WHO, 2002d). Older people gain benefit from participation in physical activity in maintaining strength and flexibility. This helps them helps continue to perform daily activities and reduces risk of falls and hip fractures (Cavill et al., 2006).

A physically active lifestyle exerts positive effects on communities and societies

Next to health benefits, there are positive effects to communities and societies associated with an active lifestyle. WHO reports the following (Cavill et al., 2006):

• opportunity to interact with others, the community and the environment;
• chance to develop new skills and meet new people;
• may help to reduce levels of crime and antisocial behaviour;

Most importantly, physical activity is associated with other positive health behaviour (e.g. healthy eating and non-smoking), and mediates other behavioural change as well (Cavill et al., 2006).

Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Appropriate levels of physical activity reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes by improving glucose metabolism, reducing body fat and lowering blood pressure, next to other mediating mechanisms (WHO, 2002d). Strong evidence indicates that: inactive people have up to double the risk of heart disease compared to active people; physical activity prevents stroke and improves many CVD-associated risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high density cholesterol levels (Cavill et al., 2006). The World Health Report 2002 estimates that physical inactivity causes about 22% of cases of ischaemic heart disease globally (WHO, 2002d).

Physical activity reduces the risk of some cancers.

The overall risk of cancer can be reduced by physical activity (Cavill et al., 2006; WCRF & AICR, 2007). There is convincing evidence that physical activity reduces the risk for specific forms of cancer. See table 1..

Physical activity is a major factor in controlling overweight and obesity and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes

Physical activity also is a factor in controlling overweight and obesity. Overweight and obesity occur when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Habitual, lifetime physical activity can reduce weight gain. Appropriate levels of activity can support healthy weight maintenance or even weight loss, which is important for people who are already overweight or obese (Cavill et al., 2006). Additionally there is strong evidence that moderate/vigorous physical activity reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes by about 30% compared to inactive people (Cavill et al., 2006).

Being fit when young relates to a healthy cardiovascular profile when older

There is evidence indicating that the level of cardiorespiratory fitness during childhood and adolescence is associated with the level of fitness in adulthood (Ruiz et al., 2006a). Findings from prospective cohort studies suggest that a low cardiovascular fitness during childhood and adolescence is associated with cardiovascular risk factors later in life, such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and obesity. Also at young age, children and adolescents with higher levels of cardiovascular fitness have a more favourable cardiovascular profile (i.e. lower levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, blood pressure, and body fat) compared with their unfit counterparts. The latter is shown by a number of cross-sectional studies.

Inactivity might cost a country about €150-300 per citizen per year

WHO has reported estimates of the annual economic costs of inactivity in England (including those to the health system, days of absence from work and loss of income due to premature death) to be €3–12 billion. This excludes the contribution of inactivity to overweight and obesity. Overall, economic cost of obesity and overweight might run to €9.6–10.8 billion per year. For Switzerland the annual cost of inactivity has been estimated at €1.1–1.5 billion. Based on these estimates, physical inactivity might cost a country about €150-300 per citizen per year. It should be emphasized that these are rough estimates and that, due to many methodological problems, such studies are scarce (Cavill et al., 2006; Fox, 2003).