The Conference Board of Canada recently published a document entitled "The Economic Impact of Reducing Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behaviour." This report indicates the financial cost of the increasing levels of inactivity in our population to be on the order of $6.8 billion (2009). They describe four levels of activity in the Canadian population:
- Physically active and non-sedentary—at least 150 minutes of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) a week, with a limited number of waking hours spent in a sedentary state (e.g., sitting). It is estimated that only 21 per cent of Canadian adults fall into this category.- Physically active and sedentary—bouts of physical activity (e.g., an afternoon walk) but majority of time throughout the day spent in a sedentary state (referred to as physically active couch potatoes).12 Almost one-third of adult Canadians fit this profile. Independent of physical activity or exercise, it has been shown that every two-hour increase per day in sedentary behaviour increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 20 per cent.
- Physically inactive and non-sedentary—job or daily routine dictates that individuals are constantly moving or standing (e.g., nurses) but not getting the recommended 150 minutes per week of MVPA. About 16 per cent of Canadian adults fall into this category.
Low levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and prolonged sedentary behaviour, such as sitting during waking hours, have a negative impact on both our health and on our economy. Physical inactivity can increase the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases and is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide, contributing to an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally each year. Chronic diseases include coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, colon and breast cancer, depression, bone fractures, respiratory conditions, muscular deterioration, and overweight and obesity.