Gesundheit & Bewegung

Abstract

Physical inactivity is a major global risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases, affecting low-, middle- and high-income countries. Physical inactivity accounts for >5 million deaths per year globally, ranging from 1% of all deaths in Bangladesh to 19% in Malta. To promote physical activity on a global level, the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) has recently published an unprecedented overview of physical activity and public health around the world. With information from 131 countries (67% of all countries worldwide), the publication presents country cards with detailed information on physical activity research, policy and surveillance worldwide. Based on this, 7.5% of all deaths in Germany are related to physical inactivity. The Observatory further assessed scientific productivity in countries around the world using several standard research metrics. Six countries the United States, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom are accounted for 51% of scientific publications on physical activity and public health in 2013. The Observatorys work will not only show how crucial physical activity is for counteracting the health effects of the pandemic of physical inactivity, but will elevate physical activity promotion, surveillance and policy to its maximum importance in the public health arena.KEY WORDS: Physical Activity, Public Health, Policy, Surveillance