The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning: 1.8 billion people worldwide are not getting enough exercise, contributing to a surge in chronic illnesses. Sedentary lifestyles are largely to blame, but the onslaught of algorithm-driven health fads and workout trends is exacerbating the problem.
“Mens sana in corpore sano” – a healthy mind in a healthy body. This ancient wisdom from Roman poet Juvenal underscores a truth recognized since antiquity: physical exercise and good nutrition are essential for well-being. Despite advancements in anatomy, physiology, and medicine, today’s society is not the fittest in history.
According to recent WHO research, nearly a third of the global population is at risk of developing serious diseases such as cancer, stroke, dementia, and diabetes due to insufficient physical activity. In 2022, 1.8 billion adults, or 31% of the global population, failed to meet recommended exercise levels. Aiming for a 15% reduction in inactivity between 2010 and 2030, the World Health Assembly’s target is unlikely to be achieved.
Why are nearly two billion people neglecting exercise, despite widespread awareness of its benefits? Modern life, dominated by desk-bound work and sedentary transportation, plays a significant role. Over 55% of the world’s population, approximately 4.4 billion people, live in urban areas, a figure projected to rise to 70% by 2050. Urban living and contemporary job demands have drastically reduced physical activity.
Adding to the issue is the confusing and often contradictory fitness advice prevalent online. One month, steady-state cardio is lauded as the best weight-loss method; the next, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is promoted. The fitness industry, driven by a desire to sell equipment, gym memberships, and dietary programs, perpetuates this confusion. Danish digital fitness company Wexer reports the industry is growing at nearly 9% annually, with a projected market value of $96.6 billion this year. Health and fitness club memberships worldwide were estimated to reach 230 million last year.
In the age of data, platforms like TikTok amplify these disjointed fitness and nutrition messages. Fitness influencers proliferate, often offering dubious advice. While some trends, like the 2019 celery juice craze, are relatively harmless, others pose serious risks. In April 2021, a young American woman suffered a heart attack after attempting “dry scooping,” a dangerous trend involving the consumption of pre-workout powder without water.
A major flaw in much online fitness advice is its lack of personalization. Each person’s body is unique, with variables such as age, sex, and medical history influencing the effectiveness of any given workout or diet. This leads to inconsistent results and frustration.
To promote healthier populations, WHO and national governments must provide clear, consistent advice. Most doctors agree that regular physical activity, even simple tasks like walking, gardening, or housework for 30 minutes a day, can help prevent chronic diseases that strain public health systems globally. The connection between moderate exercise and mental health is well-documented, emphasizing the need for clear messaging that fitness is both accessible and achievable.
Juvenal’s Satire X offers timeless wisdom: “What I commend to you, you can give to yourself.” Instead of relying on gimmicks and quick fixes, we should take responsibility for our health. By embracing simple, consistent physical activity, we can safeguard our well-being for the future.
