Lack of exercise is to blame for one in 11 early deaths

Lack of exercise is to blame for one in 11 early deaths because of increased risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, study finds

  • Scientists reviewed the medical literature on inactivity and death and disease 
  • Inactivity linked to dementia, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes type II
  • But strenuous activity on days of high pollution linked to cardiovascual issues

One in every 11 premature deaths in rich countries is caused by inactivity, scientists declared yesterday.

They said the 9.3 per cent figure was higher than the overall global rate of 7.2 per cent – almost one in 14.

Lack of exercise is a known risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and several cancers. 

Lack of exercise is a known risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and several cancers

¿The global burden associated with physical inactivity is substantial,¿ the authors wrote

‘The global burden associated with physical inactivity is substantial,’ the authors wrote

Led by experts at the Pennington Biomedical Research Centre in Louisiana, the scientists reviewed the medical literature on inactivity and death and disease.

‘The global burden associated with physical inactivity is substantial,’ the authors wrote. 

‘The relative burden is greatest in high-income countries; however, the greatest number of people affected by physical inactivity are living in middle-income countries given the size of their populations.’

Inactivity was linked to 8.1 per cent of dementia cases globally, according to the findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

A separate study from South Korea found physical activity helped prevent heart and blood vessel disease. 

However very strenuous activity on days when air pollution is high was linked to cardiovascular problems, according to the study in the European Heart Journal. 

Researcher Dr Seong Rae Kim said: ‘Excessive physical activity may not always be beneficial for cardiovascular health in younger adults.’