Union Health Minister Disputes a WHO Study

Newsreel Asia Insight #299
August 3, 2024

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda challenged the credibility of a WHO report during a session in the Lok Sabha. The report had labelled half of India’s adult population as physically unfit. He criticised the report’s methodology, saying it only sampled populations from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, then extrapolated these findings nationwide. Nevertheless, according to another study he referenced, India’s rates still fall significantly below the global average.

The WHO “Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2022,” released in June 2024, is not reliable, according to Nadda’s statement in Lok Sabha.

The WHO categorizes “sufficient physical activity” as either 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activities per week, such as brisk walking or light lifting, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activities, including running, digging, construction tasks or playing outdoor games. This measurement is derived from individuals’ self-reported answers to inquiries regarding physical activity episodes that persist for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Nadda drew attention to findings from the 2020 National NCD Monitoring Survey by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which painted a slightly more optimistic picture, showing that 58.7% of Indian adults actually meet the WHO’s physical activity guidelines, The Hindu reported.

A previous study ICMR in 2014 had found that 54.4% of its participants were insufficiently active, but the findings were based on the data only from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well as Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The WHO also pointed to a rising tide of inactivity, based on longitudinal data from 2000 to 2022. The research indicated a worrying trend that could see up to 60% of Indian adults being insufficiently active by 2030 if current patterns persist. The study also revealed significant gender disparities—57% of women versus 42% of men in India do not engage in adequate physical activity.

Even if what Nadda said is correct, globally, the situation in India is far below the global average of around one-third of adults not hitting activity minimums.

The implications are vast, with physical inactivity contributing substantially to the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. These conditions are major health burdens, not only increasing the risk of mortality but also straining healthcare systems, increasing healthcare costs, and impacting the quality of life for millions of individuals.

The government, aware of these challenges, should develop and implement policies that encourage physical activity. This can include creating more public spaces for exercise, implementing community programs and incorporating physical education in schools.

Raising awareness about the benefits of physical activity and the risks of inactivity can motivate behavioural change. Campaigns like the government’s “Fit India Movement” are examples but need to be more widespread and regularly promoted.

The government should also invest in infrastructure that promotes physical activity, such as parks, walking tracks, sports facilities and safe cycling lanes, to facilitate regular exercise.

Further, the government should encourage corporations to adopt workplace wellness programs that promote regular physical activities, flexible work hours for exercise and healthier work environments.

Given the higher rates of inactivity among women, there’s a need for specific programs tailored to address cultural, social and logistical barriers that women face in accessing physical activity resources are critical.