Physical Inactivity Is a Disease

摘要

Physical inactivity annually produces 334,144 deaths in the United States and >2 million deaths worldwide [1,2]. Physical inactivity is one of the 10 leading global causes of death and disability [2]. In 1986, the expenditure in the US for physical inactivity was USD 77 and USD 150 billion (expressed in 2,000 US dollars) in direct and combined direct and indirect costs, respectively [3]. Epidemiological data indicate that physically inactive humans have an increased prevalence of 25 chronic diseases(table 1). Indeed whereas the chronic diseases are recognized as the medical factor for the deaths and economic costs, physical inactivity is acknowledged by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as the actual cause of the deaths [4], Thus, it seems reasonable to suggest that physical inactivity is a medical problem of great impact. This review will use arguments presented in debates as to whether obesity is a disease [5, 6] to provide a framework for the claim that physical inactivity is a disease. The next sections will answer the question as to whether physical inactivity fits the definition of 'disease'.