Physical activity: health risks of inactivity

Physical inactivity is as significant a risk factor for chronic disease as both smoking and an unhealthy diet. Some of the health risks of inactivity are:

• Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, with inactive and unfit people almost twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease as more active and fit people (DoH(2004)).
  
• Inactive people have a greater risk of being overweight or obese, which is, in turn, associated with certain cancers, osteoarthritis and back problems.
  
• Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes.
  
• Inactive people have lower bone density and a higher risk of osteoporosis.
  
• Inactive people have a higher risk of colon cancer.