Routine physical activity is central to one’s well-being, noted the World Health Organization (WHO), stating that among other benefits, adequate physical activity improves muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness, enhances bone and functional health, and also helps prevent depression and promote mental health.
Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, said, “Crucially, it also reduces the risk of life-threatening non-communicable diseases [NCDs] such as hypertension, stroke, heart attack and diabetes .
These conditions already cause an estimated 8.5 million deaths across the WHO South-East Asia region annually.”
The WHO’s recently released ‘Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030’ stated that routine practice of yoga is a valuable tool for people of all ages to make physical activity an integral part of life and promotes good health.
For children aged 5-17 years, at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity is required daily. On the other hand, adults require at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly.
“As member States across the region strive to reduce NCD-related premature mortality by a quarter by 2025, and one-third by 2030, yoga’s full potential should be harnessed. Importantly, and as outlined in a resolution unanimously endorsed at WHO South-East Asia’s Regional Committee in 2016, doing so should be part of a wider push to promote physical activity as a key preventive health measure,” said Ms. Singh.
WHO has noted that specific focus on promoting physical activity should engage more vigorously across sectors, especially with planning authorities in urban areas. By creating open-air gyms, bicycle paths and running tracks, for example, urban environments can facilitate and promote physical activity, including yoga. That is important, given the sedentary lifestyle urban living too often encourages.
Steps in schools
Schools also have a vital role to play. Promoting physical activity among students — by keeping facilities open outside of school hours for instance or ensuring time for structured free play — can help create healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Notably, the impact of efforts to promote physical activity should be monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis. This will allow national authorities to gauge the impact of their interventions and implement the right mix of policies. Achieving the target of a 15% increase in physical activity by 2030 demands all member States stay on track.