Low global physical activity despite two decades of policy progress

Abstract Global physical inactivity has remained high and unchanged for the past two decades. We assessed global political priority for physical activity. An analysis of national policy documents from 200 countries revealed notable progress in policy adoption since 2004, but we found limited evidence of implementation. A qualitative case study design, including insights from 46 key informants, confirmed low political priority. Four key challenges emerged: (1) domination of health-centric approaches; (2) limited recognition of benefits beyond non-communicable disease prevention; (3) interest across sectors but lack of clarity defining physical activity policy and of leadership; and (4) limited multisectoral partnerships. Proposed solutions include: (1) building consensus on physical activity policy with consideration of context; (2) acknowledging the scope of benefits; (3) clarifying multisectoral leadership and responsibilities; and (4) increasing partnerships beyond obvious proponents. Prioritizing physical activity policy is essential for improving human, societal and planetary health.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Nature Health
Published
2026-03-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44360-025-00044-3
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Physical Activity and Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
131.36

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Low global physical activity despite two decades of policy progress

Jeremy Shiffman, Erica Hinckson, Yusra Ribhi Shawar, Andrea Ramirez Varela et al.
4 citations
Nature Health
Physical Activity and Health
131.36
article

Low global physical activity despite two decades of policy progress

Jeremy Shiffman, Erica Hinckson, Yusra Ribhi Shawar, Andrea Ramirez Varela, Juliana Mejía-Grues, Wanda Wendel-Vos, Ulf Ekelund, Pedro C. Hallal, Catherine B. Woods, Adrian Bauman, Harold W. Kohl III, Rodrigo Siqueira Reis, Ding Ding, I-Min Lee, Deborah Salvo, Michael Pratt, Katja Siefken, J. Jaime Miranda, James F. Sallis
article en
4 citations

Abstract

Abstract Global physical inactivity has remained high and unchanged for the past two decades. We assessed global political priority for physical activity. An analysis of national policy documents from 200 countries revealed notable progress in policy adoption since 2004, but we found limited evidence of implementation. A qualitative case study design, including insights from 46 key informants, confirmed low political priority. Four key challenges emerged: (1) domination of health-centric approaches; (2) limited recognition of benefits beyond non-communicable disease prevention; (3) interest across sectors but lack of clarity defining physical activity policy and of leadership; and (4) limited multisectoral partnerships. Proposed solutions include: (1) building consensus on physical activity policy with consideration of context; (2) acknowledging the scope of benefits; (3) clarifying multisectoral leadership and responsibilities; and (4) increasing partnerships beyond obvious proponents. Prioritizing physical activity policy is essential for improving human, societal and planetary health.

Nature HealthVol. 1(3)
Brigham and Women's Hospital (US), The University of Sydney (AU), Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO), Harvard University (US), Johns Hopkins University (US), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US), Austin Community College (US), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (PE), Washington University in St. Louis (US), University of Limerick (IE), University of California San Diego (US), Auckland University of Technology (NZ), MSH Medical School Hamburg – University of Applied Sciences and Medical University (DE), Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology (AU), National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (NL), Human Longevity (United States) (US), Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (CD), The University of Texas Health Science Center (US), Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NO), The University of Texas at Austin (US), Australian Catholic University (AU), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (US)
World Cancer Research Fund International, David and Elaine Potter Foundation, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Victoria University, NSW Ministry of Health, Shenzhen University, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Medical Research Council, World Cancer Research Fund, National Health and Medical Research Council, Third Health Programme
Partnerships for the goals
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Physical Activity and Health
131.36
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.