Myths about physical activity

Engaging in physical activity costs a lot. Going into a gymnasium, using equipment, special shoes, clothes are all about money and time. These are the common myths persist among the people that discourage people to be active physically. But the truth is that physical activity can be done almost anywhere and does not necessarily require equipment!
Carrying groceries, bag, books or children are good complementary physical activities, as is climbing the stairs instead of using the elevator. Walking is perhaps the most practiced and most highly recommended physical activity and it is absolutely free. It is not imperative to go to a gym, pool or other special sports facility to be physically active.
Myth: I am very busy. Physical activity takes too much time.
It only takes 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five days per week to improve and maintain your health. However, this does not mean that physical activity must always be performed for 30 minutes at a time. The activity can be accumulated over the course of the day: a 10 minute brisk walk, three times a day; or 20 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes later that day. These activities can be incorporated into your daily routine — at work, school, home or play. Simple things like taking the stairs or getting off the bus one stop before your final destination and then walking the rest of the way can accumulate over the day and can form part of your regular daily activities.
Myth: Children by nature have so much energy. They hardly sit still. There is no need to spend time or energy teaching them about physical activity. They are already so active.
It is estimated that less than one-third of young people are sufficiently active to benefit their present and future health and well-being. Physical activity levels are decreasing among young people in urban area especially in Dhaka. Fewer children walk or cycle to school and excessive time is devoted to watching television, playing computer games, and using computers — often at the expense of time and opportunities for physical activity and sports. Physical education and other school-based physical activities have also been decreasing. Each day school-aged youth should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity to ensure healthy development.
Myth: Physical activity is for people in the prime of life. At my age, I do not need to be concerned with it.
Regular physical activity has been shown to improve the functional status and quality of life of older adults. It is recommended that older adults engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity 5 days per week. Many noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) prevalent in older adults can benefit from participation in regular physical activity (cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, hypertension, falls prevention). Physical activity has also been shown to improve mental health and cognitive function in older adults and has been found to contribute to the management of disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Myth: Physical activity is needed only in industrialised countries. Developing countries have other problems.
At least 60 percent of the world's population fails to complete the recommended amount of physical activity required to induce health benefits. Physical inactivity is an independent modifiable risk factor for common NCDs that caused more than 35 million deaths in 2005. NCDs are now the major cause of death and disability worldwide. Importantly, 80% of deaths from common NCDs occur in low- and middle-income countries. Consequently, NCDs associated with physical inactivity are the greatest public health problem in most countries around the world.
Source: World Health Organisation