The shift towards sedentary lifestyles has raised public health concerns, as it is associated with a range of negative health outcomes.
Analysing recent statistics reveals the magnitude of this issue and underscores the urgent need for intervention.
According to the World Health Organisation, over 80% of adolescents globally do not meet the recommended minimum of one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
Nigeria is no exception to this alarming trend. A recent study published by the Nigerian Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports, and Dance noted that only about 30% of Nigerian youth aged 15-24 engage in regular physical activity. This marks a significant drop from a decade ago when more than 50% of this demographic reported participating in routine exercise or sports.
The decline in physical activity among Nigerian adolescents has raised significant health concerns.
Experts opine that this trend contributes to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.
A systematic review published in the Journal of Public Health highlights that physical inactivity is partly responsible for the increasing burden of NCDs across various regions, including Nigeria.
A public health researcher, Dr. Davies Adeloye, in the journal noted that “physical inactivity directly contributed to 21% of breast cancers, 25% of colon cancers, 27% of diabetes, and 30% of ischemic heart diseases globally.”
He emphasises that the benefits of staying physically active are well-documented, yet about a quarter of the global adult population does not meet the World Health Organisation’s recommendations for physical activity.
In Nigeria, the barriers to being physically active are influenced by several contextual factors.
Also, a public health physician at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Mojisola Oluwasanu, in a study published in BMC Public Health, discusses the barriers to physical activity among Nigerian adolescents.
She identifies factors such as the declining number of trained physical health education teachers, limited opportunities for continuing education, and low prioritisation of physical health education as significant challenges.
Other school-related factors, including increasing demand for classroom academic time, negative attitudes of other teachers, and inadequate funding for schools, hamper the provision of facilities and equipment necessary for effective physical activity programmes.
In Nigeria, where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise, this trend could place an even greater strain on the already burdened healthcare system.
According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2023, approximately 14% of young Nigerians are now categorised as overweight or obese—a marked increase from 8% in 2013.
Physical activity is not just beneficial for physical health; it is crucial for mental well-being.
Studies show that regular exercise can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which are prevalent among Nigerian youth due to economic pressures, unemployment, and academic challenges.
The decline in physical activity levels may exacerbate these mental health issues, leading to a cycle of inactivity and deteriorating mental health.
