15 Crore Indian Adults Fail to Meet WHO Physical Activity Guidelines, Women Impacted the Most, Report Finds

A recent report by Dalberg titled "State of Sports and Physical Activity (SAPA)" paints a concerning picture of physical inactivity in India, revealing that a 155 million adults and 45 million adolescents in the country fail to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity. This report, developed in collaboration with Sports and Society Accelerator and supported by Omidyar Network India and the Ajit Isaac Foundation, highlights the urgent need for increased participation in sports and physical activity across the nation.

India's inactivity is alarming, with the report highlighting that those who do engage in physical activities often limit themselves to walking, which, while beneficial, is not sufficient on its own. The report reveals that only 10% of adults in the country participate in sports, and an even smaller percentage likely plays sports regularly. Among adolescents, 66% engage in sports, but their choice of sports lacks diversity, with half of the boys exclusively playing cricket.

The report also exposes a stark gender divide in sports and physical activity, with girls and women spending 5-7 fewer hours per week in such activities compared to boys and men. This gap is even more pronounced in urban areas, where one-third of girls do not meet the WHO guidelines for physical activity. Urban women are particularly affected, spending 385 fewer active minutes per week than their rural counterparts and 249 fewer minutes than urban men. This disparity is attributed to factors such as inadequate infrastructure, safety concerns, and societal misconceptions, including the belief that physical activity is unsafe during menstruation and pregnancy.

The consequences of this widespread inactivity are dire. If the current trend continues, India could face a significant increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with an additional 200 million adult cases by 2047, 45 million more obese adolescents, and a surge in healthcare costs exceeding INR 55 trillion annually. Moreover, the country's worker productivity, already at half the global average, could further decline, alongside educational attainment and female labor force participation.

However, the SAPA report also offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that increased engagement in sports and physical activity could reverse these trends. The report highlights the potential for significant societal and national benefits, drawing on examples from other countries. For instance, China has seen a 40% reduction in in-patient hospitalizations and a 30% decrease in healthcare expenses, while the UK has generated £72 billion in socio-economic value through investments in sports and physical activity.

The SAPA report underscores the need for a concerted effort to promote sports and physical activity, not only for the health and well-being of individuals but also for the country's long-term socio-economic development.