95% of French people do not do enough physical exercise, worries ANSES

95 of French people do not do enough physical exercise

Silent scourges, physical inactivity and lack of physical activity degrade the health of a majority of French people, concludes a study conducted by ANSES. Women are particularly exposed to this risk because their activity levels are far below the minimum for good health, the same finding in adults under 45 and those with a low level of education.

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Almost the entire French population is exposed to a risk of deterioration of their health due to a lack ofphysical activity or sedentary lifestyle, warns Tuesday a study the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES). Today, only 5% of adults have an activity physical sufficient to be protective, according to the agency.

To measure levels of exposure to lack ofphysical activity and the associated risks, ANSES relied on two studies it had carried out in February 2016 and June 2017 (which excluded pregnant and postmenopausal women). It appears from his analysis that the women are more exposed to a lack of physical activity. In fact, 70% of them are below all activity levels identified for good health, compared to 42% of men.

Regarding sedentary lifestyle, spending more than 8 hours a day in sitting exposes you to a health risk, notes ANSES. This can be time spent in front of a screen or in a seated position (for example while car or at work). Low-educated adults and those under 45 are the most affected. Overall, 38% of adults are exposed to more than eight hours of sedentary time per day. An Ile-de-France resident is exposed to two more hours of sedentary time than a resident of a rural area.

There are many health risks: the dangers associated with insufficient physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are in particular a increased risk cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, certain cancers. They are all the higher as the exposures are combined. Thus, in France, more than a third of adults combine a high level of sedentary lifestyle and insufficient physical activity, underlines ANSES. These people have higher mortality and morbidity rates.

These very clearly avoidable risks require activating certain levers concludes Professor Irène Margaritis, Head of the Nutrition Risk Assessment Unit at ANSES. A better consideration of the sports practice in public policies is absolutely essential to prevent health risks, according to ANSES in particular.

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