A major survey on physical or sporting activity and sedentary lifestyle among the French adult population and seniors (65-75 years) conducted by Assureurs Prévention shows that the French are too sedentary.
The French do not exercise enough
The results of the survey confirm that the French are not moving enough. In fact, 80% of 18-64 year olds do not reach the objective of 10,000 steps per day and 50% of seniors are sedentary and take less than 5,000 steps per day.
Barely more than half of 18-64 year olds (51%) and 47% of seniors regularly practice physical or sports activity. A mistake since many studies confirm that physically active seniors maintain good health much longer than their sedentary seniors.
Barriers to physical activity
The French who recognize the benefits of a physical or sporting activity on their health are more active. They take an average of 7,482 steps per day compared to 5,049 steps for the unconvinced others.
As the 2012 survey revealed, the main obstacle to physical or sports activity remains a lack of time. Then come, in the personal environment, the lack of desire and, in the professional environment and the lack of infrastructure. 31% of 18-64 year olds think the professional environment is not at all favorable to the practice of physical or sporting activity, while the personal environment seems mostly perceived as fairly, or even very, favorable.
Among seniors, lack of desire is the main obstacle to the practice of a physical or sports activity (42%), before lack of time (17%) and state of health (13%).
10,000 steps per day: the minimum to stay in shape and preserve your health
To keep fit and maintain health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends taking 10,000 steps per day. The benefits of physical activity are indeed scientifically proven. Regular sport can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 39%, the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 26%, the risk of having a stroke by 25% and the risk of diabetes is 34%. Sedentary lifestyle is today the 4th risk factor for mortality after high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes in the world.
