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“more exercise for better health

Companies committed to reducing sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity

Almost half of the world’s population (3.5 billion people) are working people and more than a quarter of the world’s adult population (1.4 billion adults) do not achieve a sufficient level of physical activity.

Sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity:

  • Ranked fourth among the leading risk factors for mortality worldwide

  • They cause 6% of premature deaths worldwide.

  • They are associated with 30% of ischaemic heart disease.

  • They are associated with 27% of cases of diabetes.

  • They are associated with 21-25% of breast and colon cancer cases.

Improving the health of workers and the working environment is a global priority

In addition, sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity have a major impact on the health of the planet:

Sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity contribute to climate change due to the increased use of motorised vehicles, increasing emissions of polluting gases, instead of active modes of transport such as walking or cycling.

People with higher levels of sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity have been found to have higher consumption of processed and packaged foods. Large-scale production of these foods is linked to overexploitation of natural resources as well as increased generation of plastic and other waste that impacts the environment, especially oceans and aquatic ecosystems.

Do you know the degree of sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity in your company?

There is a risk of a sedentary lifestyle in your company if people:

  • They are usually seated, supported, without movement, without active pauses.

You are at risk of physical inactivity in your company if people:

  • Do less than 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity 5 days per week (total 150 minutes per week); or

  • Do less than 20-25 minutes per day of vigorous physical activity, 3 days per week (total 60-75 minutes per week); or

  • They do an insufficient combination of both; or

  • They walk less than 10,000 steps at a slow pace or 8,000 steps at a brisk pace.

Esther Deltor

Health and Wellbeing

How can we help you?

Write to us if you want to know how to reduce sedentary lifestyles in your company.

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The promotion of physical activity contributes to virtually all of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Action to reduce sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity is a priority.

Otherwise the costs of their impact will continue to rise, impacting on the health system, the environment, economic development, the well-being of communities and the quality of life.

*Image source: World Health Organization (WHO)

ACT “More exercise for better health

It is the programme that promotes the commitment of companies to reduce sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity in the workplace, contributing to the objective proposed by the World Health Organisation to reduce physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.

Promoting healthy habits in the workplace will help to reduce risk factors for chronic diseases and improve the quality of life of the working population.

This programme is for your company if the workers:

  • Spend 6 hours or more sitting

  • No active breaks during the working day

  • Have an inactive lifestyle

  • Have musculoskeletal disorders

More and more companies are taking an active role in health promotion to contribute to the overall impact.

If you would like to become a member company, please ask for more information.

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