Indian Kids Fare Better Than the Global Average In Physical Activity Level

While physical inactivity among kids aged 11 to 17 is widespread, Indian kids still fare better than the global average, reports a WHO study.

While physical inactivity among kids aged 11 to 17 is widespread, Indian kids still fare better than the global average, reports a WHO study. The findings of the study are published in the journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.//

But compared to the global average, the level of physical inactivity was found to be lower in countries like India and Bangladesh.

Mantra to Prevent Childhood Obesity � Vigorous Physical Activity
Being physically very active is the mantra to prevent pediatric obesity rather than concentrating efforts at restricting energy consumption.

‘Nearly 80 percent of school-going teenagers globally did not meet current recommendations of at least one hour of physical activity per day.’

While 72 percent of boys in India were found to be insufficiently active in 2016, 63 percent of boys were insufficiently active in Bangladesh.

At 64 percent, the boys in the US fared even better than those in India and Bangladesh.

For girls too, the lowest levels of insufficient activity were seen in Bangladesh and India, and are potentially explained by societal factors, such as increased domestic chores in the home for girls.

Increased Physical Activity Regardless of Intensity Reduces Risk of Death
Sitting for long hours significantly increases your risk of death. However, just being more physically active, regardless of the intensity of exercise, reduces the risk of death due to any cause (all-cause mortality rate).

Lower level of insufficient activity among boys in India may be explained by the strong focus on national sports like cricket, said the study.

The study, based on data reported by 1.6 million 11 to 17-year-old students, found that across all 146 countries studied between 2001-2016, girls were less active than boys in all but four (Tonga, Samoa, Afghanistan, and Zambia).

Menopause Timing is Not Affected by Physical Activity
Risk of getting early menopause is not dependent on the level of physical activity, says study.

The authors said that levels of insufficient physical activity in adolescents continue to be extremely high, compromising their current and future health.

"Urgent policy action to increase physical activity is needed now, particularly to promote and retain girls' participation in physical activity," said study author Regina Guthold from WHO.

Physical Activity can Improve Lymphoma Patients Chances of Survival
Lymphoma patients chances of survival can be improved by good physical activity and thereby physicians have to counsel patients to increase their physical patients.

The health benefits of a physically active lifestyle during adolescence include improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, bone and cardiometabolic health, and positive effects on weight.

There is also growing evidence that physical activity has a positive impact on cognitive development and socializing. Current evidence suggests that many of these benefits continue into adulthood.

To achieve these benefits, the WHO recommends for adolescents to do moderate or vigorous physical activity for an hour or more each day.

Source-IANS