GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, urging Caribbean and other nationals of all ages and abilities, to be physically active during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, stating that every type of movement counts.

According to the world body, up to five million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active.

The new guidelines recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity per week for all adults, including people living with chronic conditions or disability, and an average of 60 minutes per day for children and adolescents.

WHO statistics show that one in four adults, and four out of five adolescents, do not get enough physical activity.

Globally, this is estimated to cost US$54 billion in direct health care and another US$14 billion to lost productivity, WHO said.

“Regular physical activity is key to preventing and helping to manage heart disease, type-2 diabetes and cancer, as well as reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, reducing cognitive decline, improving memory and boosting brain health.”

The guidelines encourage women to maintain regular physical activity throughout pregnancy and post-delivery.

They also highlight the valuable health benefits of physical activity for people living with disabilities.

The guidelines urge older adults (aged 65 years or older) to add activities that emphasise balance and coordination, as well as muscle strengthening, to help prevent falls and improve health.

“Being physically active is critical for health and well-being. It can help to add years to life and life to years,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Every move counts, especially now as we manage the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must all move every day — safely and creatively.”

WHO said all physical activity is beneficial, and can be done as part of work, sport and leisure or transport (walking, wheeling and cycling), but also through dance, play and everyday household tasks, like gardening and cleaning.

“Physical activity of any type, and any duration can improve health and wellbeing; but more is always better,” said Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO’s director of Health Promotion. “And if you must spend a lot of time sitting still, whether at work or school, you should do more physical activity to counter the harmful effects of sedentary behaviour.”

“These new guidelines highlight how important being active is for our hearts, bodies and minds, and how the favourable outcomes benefit everyone, of all ages and abilities”, said Dr Fiona Bull, head of the Physical Activity Unit, which led the development of the new WHO guidelines.

The WHO has urged Caribbean and other countries to adopt the global guidelines to develop national health policies in support of the WHO Global action plan on physical activity 2018-2030.

The plan was agreed by global health leaders at the 71st World Health Assembly in 2018 to reduce physical inactivity by 15 per cent by 2030.