Physical Inactivity May Cause As Many Deaths As Smoking

The issue is not the number of deaths. The issue is the cost to the rest of us of prolonging the lives of these folks.

People failing to exercise may be responsible for as many global deaths as smoking, according to a new study. Individuals not spending at least 150 minutes a week doing moderate exercise (walking for 30 minutes 5 times a week), is causing from approximately 6% to 10% of deaths in four serious non-communicable diseases: coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes, and colon and breast cancer worldwide.

In 2008, this lack of exercise was responsible for the deaths of 5.3 million of the 57 million lives that were taken that year globally. This information was revealed in a report in The Lancet, which explained how physical inactivity is much like tobacco smoking or obesity, causing disease and shortening people's lives.

Death is not a choice.

How one gets there, is.

Physical inactivity is a choice.