Certain categories of the population more concerned
Today alone 5% of adults have sufficient physical activity to be protective.
Indeed, in 2016, ANSES had identified the need to combine different types and levels of activity to be in good health:
- practice 30 minutes, 5 times a week, a cardiorespiratory activity such as climbing stairs or cycling, running, walking at a good pace;
- perform muscle strengthening once or twice a week such as lifting a heavy load, playing tennis, swimming or aerobics;
- perform flexibility exercises such as gymnastics, dance or yoga, 2 to 3 times a week.
Our work reveals that the women are more exposed to a lack of physical activity. In effect, 70 % of them are below all levels of activity identified for good health, compared to 42% of men.
Regarding sedentary lifestyle, spending more than 8 hours a day in a seated position exposes you to a health risk. Low-educated adults and those under 45 are the most affected.
Risks all the higher as the exposures are accumulated
In France, more than a third of adults combine a high level of sedentary lifestyle with insufficient physical activity. These people therefore have higher mortality and morbidity rates. “For example, they are more exposed to cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. They are also more at risk of hypertension or obesity. In general, the risks associated with inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are increased when they are combined. explains Professor Irène Margaritis, Head of the Nutrition Risk Assessment Unit at ANSES.
Health risks that are nevertheless avoidable, through collective action
Of course thepersonal initiative plays an important role, both for the practice of sufficient activity and for the reduction of a sedentary lifestyle.
But to achieve sufficient levels on an individual scale, ANSES stresses the importance of collective and long-term actions by creating a favorable global environment to behavioral change. Better consideration of sports practice in public policies is absolutely essential to prevent health risks. The Agency recalls that the implementation of these recommendations is currently encountering serious obstacles relating in particular to town planning, land use planning, modes of transport and the organization of work time and spaces. or school.
