Physical activity

Key facts

• Physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds
• Physical activity contributes to preventing and managing noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes
• Physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Physical activity enhances thinking, learning, and judgment skills
• Physical activity ensures healthy growth and development in young people
• Physical activity improves overall well-being
• Globally, 1 in 4 adults do not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity
• People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active
• More than 80% of the world's adolescent population is insufficiently physically active

Information presented on this page has been replicated from the linked WHO fact sheet. Please always refer to the original source on who.int for the latest version. Last update: March 2024.