Green April: we need to talk about this
Campaign warns about the impact of a sedentary lifestyle
It is no longer possible to ignore the damage that a sedentary lifestyle causes to society. This is because, associated with other risk factors, a sedentary lifestyle is a cause of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. Together, they represent more than half of deaths in Brazil, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
To raise this debate, the Federal and Regional Councils of Physical Education are promoting, for the third consecutive year, Green April: a month to combat sedentary lifestyle – taking advantage of World Physical Activity Day (April 6) and World Health Day (7). Of april). The campaign provides, throughout the month of April, information about a sedentary lifestyle, such as its impacts on various aspects of the country’s physical, mental, social and financial health.
Yes, financial. Premature and preventable deaths carry not only a human but also an economic cost. A study calculated that SUS spending just on hospitalizations resulting from a sedentary lifestyle is R$300 million per year. Therefore, there is no doubt: prevention is better and more economical than cure. At the same time, globally, investing 1 dollar per person in health can save 7 million lives by 2030, as indicated by the WHO.
This is because the relationship between physical inactivity and illness is indisputable. A 2023 SESI survey revealed that health problems almost double among sedentary people. At the same time, 72% of people exercise frequently, had no health problems in the previous year in which the survey was carried out.
But if a sedentary lifestyle is so harmful, why don’t people just exercise? The truth is that wanting is not enough. In an unequal society, there are social markers that limit – and even make impossible – the access of certain groups to an active lifestyle: social class, gender, education, among others.
Drawing attention to these social areas is essential for the development of effective public policies to promote physical activity, as advocated by Prof. Claudio Boschi, president of CONFEF: “It is necessary to face a sedentary lifestyle considering the social difficulties that each group faces”.
These barriers make you sick – literally. In itself, a sedentary lifestyle is considered a disease. The medicine? There is no other: physical activity. If practiced regularly and under the guidance of a Physical Education professional, it is a factor in disease prevention and control and also benefits mental health, preventing cognitive decline, depression and anxiety.
Therefore, CONFEF counts on each citizen to help spread this idea. Do your part: access our social media (@confef), share publications and dialogue on the subject. Promote actions at your gym, in your condominium, in your family. And never forget to be an example. Put on your sneakers and look for a Physical Education Professional, because standing still is not an option
