Health: French people are not active enough
Even though physical activity has been declared a “major national cause” in 2024, the year of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, the situation is not very promising. According to a study published this Tuesday, which highlights the dangers of sedentary behavior, French people still do not engage in enough sports. This phenomenon is more pronounced among women, older individuals, and those with lower levels of education.
Both lack of physical activity and sedentary behavior are two separate risk factors for numerous diseases (cardiovascular, metabolic, certain cancers, etc.). A certain amount of physical activity, in terms of both duration and intensity, is needed to counteract the harmful effects of high levels of sedentary behavior.
Less than three-quarters of men (72.9%) and just over half of women (59.3%) between the ages of 18 and 85 met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) activity recommendations in 2021 in mainland France, according to the study conducted by Santé publique France. These recommendations include at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, or at least 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or an equivalent combination of moderate or vigorous activity. It is also recommended to engage in muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week, a goal achieved by less than a third of men (31.1%) and less than a quarter of women (20.2%) in France.
In terms of sedentary behavior, more than one in five adults reported sitting for more than seven hours a day, and nearly four out of ten adults (39%) spent more than three hours a day in front of a screen for leisure activities only. However, more than nine out of ten adults reported getting up at least every two hours if they were seated for a prolonged period. Overall, 8.6% of men and 9.9% of women had insufficient physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior. The authors of the study emphasize the need to reverse this trend.
There are sociodemographic disparities that underlie these findings. Age influences levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior in both men and women. Having an education level below a high school diploma is also associated with lower adherence to the recommendations for both men and women. For men, employment status plays a role, with less physical activity reported among the unemployed. For women, being in a relationship with children reduces the likelihood of meeting the recommendations.
The authors of the report suggest several strategies to combat this trend, such as promoting active lifestyles in urban areas, creating attractive and dynamic environments, especially for young people, and providing alternatives to prolonged sedentary work. In terms of sedentary behavior, the current French recommendation advises individuals to take short walks every two hours, but recent studies have shown the benefits of more frequent breaks in sedentary behavior, starting as early as 20 minutes of inactivity.
Breaking up sedentary time, replacing some sitting time with standing, taking a few steps or movements, or incorporating active breaks in all situations of prolonged sedentary behavior (work, studies) will be beneficial, according to the researchers.