The economic burden of physical inactivity

Researchers from the University of Sydney have calculated that physical inactivity cost the world 90 billion Australian dollars in 2013 and they have published their findings in The Lancet. The cost burden of several lifestyle diseases on health budgets and the cost of premature death due directly to physical inactivity were analysed for 142 countries, representing 93.2% of the world's population. The high income countries bear a larger proportion of this economic burden, and the lower income countries have a higher proportion of the disease burden.

Author Dr Melody Ding and her colleagues conclude, "In addition to morbidity and premature mortality, physical inactivity is responsible for a substantial economic burden. This paper provides further justification to prioritise promotion of regular physical activity worldwide as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases."

The economic burden of physical inactivity: a global analysis of major non-communicable diseases The Lancet Available online 28 July 2016.  doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30383-X

For an accessible summary, see today's ABC's story, Physical inactivity costs world billions of dollars, Sydney University study finds