Sedentary lifestyle, physical activity: Occitanie more sporty than average, but one in five women sits for more than 7 hours a day

magictr | June 11, 2024 | Health | No Comments

Occitanie men are more active than women. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Do the inhabitants of Occitanie follow the recommendations of the WHO, at least two and a half hours of moderate physical activity per week?? Public Health France publishes a study which shows that men, at 77.2%, and women, at 54%, are involved, in proportions higher than the national average.

A few weeks before the opening of the Olympic Games, associated with the promotion of physical and sporting activity as a "Great national cause 2024", Public Health France publishes a study on the sedentary lifestyle and physical activity of the French, with regard to the recommendations made by the World Health Organization: at least two and a half hours of moderate activity per week, or an hour and a quarter of sustained activity.

Declined in a detailed analysis as close as possible to the territories, the study shows that Occitanie is rather active, in any case more than the national average. We are also less sedentary than average.

Men more active, women more sedentary

“In 2021, 72.9% of men and 59.3% of women met the recommendations for physical activity” indicates Public Health France. But the French are also the champions of sedentary lifestyles: “More than one in five adults reported spending more than seven hours a day sitting down and the prevalence of leisure screen time exceeding three hours a day
reached 39%.”

Physical activity varies depending on regions, socio-economic profiles, age, etc. PUBLIC HEALTH FRANCE

A more detailed analysis of the territories shows great disparities in physical activity: "Brittany and Occitanie stand out by a prevalence significantly higher than the national prevalence unlike Île-de-France and the North-East of France which have prevalences significantly lower than the national prevalence".

Thus, 77.2% of men in Occitanie and 54% of women reach the recommendations.

Big differences also for sedentary lifestyle: "In France, Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Occitanie and New Aquitaine s’ come out better than the average, says Public Health France.

The prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle. PUBLIC HEALTH FRANCE

In terms of sedentary lifestyle, health recommendations only advise "limit", without a quantified objective, the data shows that "more than one in five adults say spend more than seven hours a day in a sitting position", < /em>and that 39 % have "leisure screen time greater than three hours daily".

In Occitanie, 17.7% of men are classified as sedentary, and 19.5% of women.

In France, nine out of ten adults nevertheless say "get up at least every two hours in the event of prolonged sitting".

Age, gender, level of education, place of living, who plays sport ?

Sex but also age (older people are less active), diplomas (those with more qualifications respect the recommendations more) and place of life (we are more active in rural areas) influence the practice of physical activities.

Idem for a sedentary lifestyle, which affects "the youngest" and the most educated, urban dwellers more than rural ones , singles more than families.

Physical activity and good health: a proven link

"Lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are two risk factors for many non-communicable diseases", and physical activity is a protective factor for cardiovascular, metabolic diseases or certain cancers, recalls Public Health France, which evaluates "for the first time& quot; the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, based on studies carried out in 2021.

The indicators selected, to comply with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) are based on the practice of at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75 to 150 minutes of sustained-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate-intensity physical activity ;rsquo;moderate or sustained intensity per week.

By "aerobic activity", we mean brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming…