A new study published in the journal The Lancet, has brought to light the comparison between smoking and lack of exercise. Not surprisingly the two are very closely linked, with the stats harboring very closely together. in fact, it was found that smoking is responsible for 100,000 deaths annually in Britain. Where as lack of exercise is responsible for 90,000.
The study, completed by researchers at Harvard, found that inactivity leads to one in ten deaths, or 5.3million of deaths globally.
If you’re surprised that it’s comparable to smoking, you’re not alone. Researchers believe the problem has gotten so bad; it should be treated as a pandemic. Co-author of the study, Dr I-Min Lee, tells the BBC that tackling the problem will involve a new way of thinking.
“We should look at inactivity as equally important to not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a healthy diet. So it’s not to say choose one but not the other, try to eliminate all these risk factors. Physical inactivity is so bad for our health because physical activity benefits almost all of our physiological functions in the body. By moving we improve our health.”
She goes on to mention that public health must be made a priority,
“Although the world will be watching elite athletes from many countries compete in sporting events… most spectators will be quite inactive. The global challenge is clear – make physical activity a public health priority throughout the world to improve health and reduce the burden of disease.”
How active are you in you daily routine?