The research conducted by the esteemed University of Exeter has brought to light a significant discovery-the profound impact of physical activity in natural environments on disease prevention. This practice has the potential to avert nearly 13,000 cases of non-communicable diseases annually in England, thereby slashing treatment costs by over £100 million. These findings are particularly significant given the World Health Organization’s (WHO) assertion that the majority of global mortality stems from non-communicable diseases, encompassing heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. Characterised by their non-transmissible nature, these chronic diseases are on the rise worldwide.
The detrimental consequences of physical inactivity are evident across a spectrum of non-communicable diseases, spanning cardiovascular ailments, type-2 diabetes, cancers, and mental health disorders. According to the WHO’s Global Status Report on Physical Activity 2022, should current physical activity levels persist, an estimated 500 million new cases of such diseases will emerge globally between 2020 and 2030. However, by investing in nature-based physical activity, we have the potential to significantly reduce these numbers, thereby incurring annual treatment costs that are much lower than the projected £21 billion.
Natural settings serve as conducive spaces for recreational physical activity, with the research spotlighting areas like beaches, coastlines, countryside, and urban green spaces such as parks. Drawing on data including a comprehensive cross-sectional survey of the English populace, researchers at the University of Exeter gauged the preventive impact of nature-based recreational physical activity on six prevalent non-communicable diseases: major depressive disorder, type 2 diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, ischaemic stroke, colon cancer, and breast cancer.
Dr James Grellier from the University of Exeter Medical School discusses the findings published in Environment International. He underscores the significance of their assessment, noting its national scope and the likelihood of underestimating nature-based physical activity’s actual disease-preventive value. While focusing on common non-communicable diseases, he highlights the potential preventive benefits for less prevalent conditions. He underscores the prolonged impact of chronic diseases, amplifying the overall value of physical activity in disease prevention.
Addressing the imperative to elevate population levels of physical activity, public health institutions globally prioritise this as a strategic goal. To sustain good health, the WHO prescribes a weekly regimen of 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for adults aged 18 to 64 or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. However, data indicates that 27.5 per cent of adults globally need to meet these recommendations.
In 2019, approximately 22 million adults in England frequented natural environments every week. Leveraging reported rates of nature-based physical activity, Exeter researchers estimate that this engagement thwarted 12,763 cases of non-communicable diseases, yielding substantial annual healthcare savings. Researchers computed the incident cases of prevented diseases and the associated healthcare savings by utilising data from the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment survey to gauge the volume of nature-based recreational physical activity among English adults.
Dr James Grellier emphasises the accessibility and informality of nature-based physical activity, particularly for individuals who may not have access to or feel inclined towards organised sports or fitness pursuits. This underscores the fact that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can engage in physical activity and reap its benefits. He advocates for investment in natural spaces such as parks, contending that such initiatives can facilitate increased physical activity among local populations. Ultimately, these efforts align with broader strategies to combat physical inactivity and promote public health.
More information: James Grellier et al, Valuing the health benefits of nature-based recreational physical activity in England, Environment International. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108667
Journal information: Environment International Provided by University of Exeter
