Pillar 3 Vitality & Movement

Your body is neither your slave nor your enemy!

Take care of yourself, it is the only place you can live in.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines physical activity as “any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure – including activities undertaken while working, playing, carrying out household chores, travelling, and engaging in recreational pursuit.” Whether the intensity level is moderate or stronger, physical activity has plenty of health benefits.

Unfortunately, our lives have become more sedentary whether it is at home, at work or at leisure. This is greatly due to the growth of urbanization, new technologies, new jobs requiring to remain sited during the whole day. Studies found that work-related physical activity and use of active transit have been decreasing over time while leisure-time physical activity (e.g., fitness and sports) has been increasing. (Global Wellness Institute, 2020)

Did you know ?

• In more prosperous nations 26% of men and 35% of women have not shown sufficient levels of physical activity. In developing countries, 12% of men and 24% of women were not active enough (World Health Organization, 2020).

• Individuals with insufficient physical activity have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to those who are sufficiently active. (World Health Organization, 2020).

• Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of death in the world, responsible for more than 5 million preventable deaths each year. (World Health Organization, 2020).

• The global economic burden of physical inactivity was estimated at $67.5 billion in 2013 (direct healthcare costs and productivity losses). (Global Wellness Institute, 2018)

• The top 5 countries with the highest participation rate for Recreational Physical Activity are Australia, Taiwan, Norway, New Zealand and Iceland. (Global Wellness Institute, 2018)

• The top 3 countries with the highest participation rate for fitness participation are Sweden, the United States and Iceland. (Global Wellness Institute, 2018)

Learn how more Vitality and Movement can improve your life with our blog articles

Why is physical activity so important for your health and what are the recommendations ? 

On top of helping your energy balance, weight control, musculature development and cardiorespiratory performance, being physically active strengthen your bones health and reduces the risk of falling and of some bone fractures. It also reduces the risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer (such as breast and colon) and is a powerful depression antidote. Learn more…

Tips to motivate yourself for physical activity

According to the Good Body, 50% of people who start a workout program quit exercising within the first 6 months. Here are some tips to help you get on the move! Learn more…