Man is designed to physically search for food, to hunt, to work manually and to compete. Nowadays, most of these activities (even ordering food) can be done online, which is where a significant number of individuals spend their time these days. It is either there or in front of the television.

Indeed, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to sedentary activities, with a splendid range that includes not only television and film but also game consoles, computers, laptops and tablets, mobile phones… the list is truly endless and continues to get longer and the gadgets more easily accessible and affordable.

Yet, very worryingly, a recent study in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet has clearly shown that failing to exercise sufficiently may be resulting in as many global deaths as smoking. The research shows that failing to exercise for at least two-and-a-half hours a week at a moderate level causes approximately six to 10 per cent of deaths from coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colon and breast cancer worldwide.

Moderate exercise implies exercise and exertion that results in mild breathlessness for the stipulated time. For example, brisk walking for 30 minutes, five times a week would suffice.

It was calculated that, in 2008, lack of appropriate exercise was responsible for the deaths of 5.3 million of the 57 million global deaths of that year. This rate is practically equivalent to the number of deaths that is attributed to tobacco smoking or obesity.

One must also bear in mind the additional disabilities that the four conditions mentioned above cause and not only the estimated deaths.

Interestingly, the study estimated that if 10 per cent of people became physically active, 533,000 deaths would be avoided. If 25per cent of people opted to do some exercise, there could be 1.3 million fewer deaths every year.

The global burden of death from inactivity is not equally distributed, with the highest levels in the Mediterranean. It was calculated that inactivity causes 121,000 preventable deaths annually in Europe alone.

The cherry on the cake is that, once again, Malta tops the list of the indolent and it is calculated that almost one-fifth of all deaths on the island can be attributed to inactivity, with nearly 72 per cent of the Maltese leading physically inactive lifestyles. This, in conjunction with Malta’s leading levels of obesity, makes our population extremely unhealthy.

This is a significant public health issue and shows just how easily the population could become healthier with some exercise. The study quite correctly called for the promotion of physical exercise through improvements of pedestrian and cyclist safety on city roads, more physical education at school, the promotion of access to free public exercise spaces and the dissemination of information with regard to the vital importance of exercise.

In Malta, we have the added advantage of access to the sea in summer for the purposes of exercise. The Public Health Department has aptly summed up our requirements: “Each individual needs to overcome any barriers s/he has to engage in physical activity, which is beneficial for his/her own health. As for parents, they need to be role models for their children and be active themselves so the whole family can enjoy a healthy lifestyle”.

So, let’s try to avoid the car when possible. Walk up and down stairs and avoid lifts if feasible. Get up and move, ladies and gentlemen! Eat more healthily and make an effort to walk.