Geneva: Nearly 240 million adolescents worldwide are not getting any meaningful physical activity during the week, raising concerns over the growing risk of serious health conditions, according to new estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The findings, published in The Lancet Global Health, are based on data collected from more than 3.2 million teenagers aged 11 to 17 across 140 countries and territories. The study found that approximately 25% of adolescents reported no days with at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during the previous week.
On average, teenagers surveyed were physically active for just 2.7 days a week. Only 14% managed to meet the recommended activity level every day.
The report also highlighted a significant gender gap. Around 28% of adolescent girls reported no physically active days, compared with 22% of boys. Daily physical activity was recorded among just 11% of girls, while the figure stood at 17% for boys.
Geographical differences were equally concerning. Countries such as Namibia, Nepal and the Philippines recorded inactivity levels of around 40% among adolescents. In contrast, Bangladesh and Serbia reported more than 30% of young people engaging in physical activity every day.
WHO warned that prolonged inactivity increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. It also noted that adolescent activity levels have shown almost no improvement over the past 15 years.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for stronger efforts to make physical activity accessible to young people, particularly girls.
The organisation said safer streets, accessible playgrounds, better school facilities and opportunities for walking and cycling could encourage healthier habits. It also flagged screen-dependent lifestyles and social norms as factors influencing activity levels.
WHO urged governments to introduce policies that make exercise and movement a regular part of everyday life.
