Be active, be alive

One in three adults is not doing enough physical activity to maintain good health. Physical inactivity is the main cause for approximately 21–25% of breast and colon cancers, 27% of diabetes, 30% of ischemic heart disease. It is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality and causes 6% of all deaths. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, and breast and colon cancers. This is a simple measure that can save life but it is often overlooked.
The term "physical activity" should not be confused with "exercise", which is a subcategory of physical activity. Any movement that requires energy expenditure — including working, playing, carrying out household chores, travelling and engaging in recreational pursuits are different types of physical activity. Both, moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity brings health benefits.
The intensity of different forms of physical activity varies between people. In order to be beneficial for health, all activity should be performed in bouts of at least 10 minutes duration. World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity of moderate intensity such as walking, cycling, household chores or doing sport. And for children and adolescents, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity activity per day is recommended.
Physical inactivity is on the rise in many countries including Bangladesh, adding to the burden of noncommunicable diseases and affecting general health. The drop in physical activity is partly due to inaction during leisure time and sedentary behaviour on the job and at home. Likewise, an increase in the use of "passive" modes of transportation also contributes to physical inactivity.
Several environmental factors which are linked to urbanisation specially in developing country like Bangladesh discourage people from becoming more active, such as fear of violence and crime in outdoor areas, high-density traffic, low air quality, pollution and lack of parks, sidewalks and sports/recreation facilities.
Recognising the importance of physical activity, an inexpensive lifesaving tool, WHO adopted the “Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health” to increase physical activity worldwide. Experts from WHO urge to introduce the following policies that are directed to ensure that:
• Walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation are accessible and safe for all.
• Labor and workplace policies encourage physical activity.
• Schools have safe spaces and facilities for students to spend their free time actively.
• Quality Physical Education (QPE) supports children to develop behaviour patterns that will keep them physically active throughout their lives.
• Sports and recreation facilities provide opportunities for everyone to do sports.
Appropriate regular daily physical activity is a major component in preventing chronic disease, along with a healthy diet and not smoking. For individuals, it is a powerful means of preventing chronic diseases; for nations, it can provide a cost-effective way of improving public health across the population. Available experience and scientific evidence show that regular physical activity provides people, both male and female, of all ages and conditions - including disabilities - with a wide range of physical, social and mental health benefits. We all should move to aware people at all level we can weather it is personal or at community level.

Source: World Health Organisation