Governments need to create more space for exercise to help people become more active and tackle the health effects of inactivity, according to researchers at Edinburgh University, UK.
Health services also need to offer improved support for activity, the researchers said.
The researchers set out their findings to a World Health Organisation event in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday.
WHO wants to reduce levels of inactivity by 10% by 2025.
The study, also published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, says availability of physical space is a “key driver” for improving health.
It also calls for programmes that promote sporting activity for all people and for policies that reduce over-reliance on car travel.
One of the developers, Dr Andrew Murray, said: “Physical inactivity may well be the fundamental public health challenge of our age.
“Despite compelling evidence on the health benefits of physical activity, the combination of increasing mechanisation, digitisation, and urbanisation continues to inexorably squeeze essential physical activity out of our daily lives.
” This will contribute to increased longevity and better health that regular physical activity brings.”
Br J Sports Med 21 November 2016; doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096999 [abstract]
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