Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30193830›Full record

ArticleThe Lancet. Global health2018

Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1·9 million participants.

Regina Guthold, Gretchen A Stevens, Leanne M Riley, Fiona C Bull

Erratum issued 9 registry-linked trialsOpen access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in The Lancet. Global health, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. It is linked to 9 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 2,152 papers, 15 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2,152citing papers in PubMed, 15 pooled it
219.1field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04403789 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Effects of a Workplace Exercise Intervention on Cardio-Metabolic Health: Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorUnited Arab Emirates UniversityRan2021 to 2021Enrolled130ConditionsCardiovascular Risk Factor, Pre Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Elevated LDL CholesterolArmsExercise Time, Supervised Group Exercise
NCT04629261 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Effects of the Mexico City´s ECOBICI Program on Health Indicators and Physical Activity Levels

TypeinterventionalSponsorInstituto Nacional de Salud Publica, MexicoRan2021 to 2021Enrolled240ConditionsPhysical ActivityArmsUse of ECOBICI (public bicycle sharing program)
NCT04633590 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2022, after this paper: background citation

Effects of Home-based Exercise Gaming on Cardio-Metabolic and Cognitive Health Markers in Physically Inactive Individuals

TypeinterventionalSponsorInsel Gruppe AG, University Hospital BernRan2022 to 2023Enrolled27ConditionsPhysical InactivityArmsHome-based exergaming
NCT04821713 unknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2019, after this paper: background citation

ENerGetics in Old AGE (ENGAGE Study) - Validation of Multiple Accelerometers and Physical Activity Questionnaires Against Indirect Calorimetry Under Laboratory and Free-living Conditions in Very Old Adults

TypeobservationalSponsorUniversity of Southern DenmarkRan2019 to 2022Enrolled100Conditionsno Condition, Community-dwelling 80+ Older Adults
NCT05500781 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2022, after this paper: background citation

Coaching HER: Eliminating Gender Stereotypes in Sport Coaching

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of MinnesotaRan2022 to 2022Enrolled55ConditionsIntervention, Waitlist ControlArmsCoaching HER
NCT05704660 naunknown statusnot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

Retraining the Automatic Reaction to Physical Activity and Sedentary Stimuli in Adults 60 Years of Age or Older

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of OttawaRan2023 to 2025Enrolled216ConditionsAgingArmsAdjusted Cognitive-biased modification task, Cognitive-biased modification task
NCT06357065 nanot yet recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2024, after this paper: background citation

Effectiveness of the Active Transport Educational Program Based on the Ecological Model on Improving the Physical and Mental Health of Secondary Students: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Mov-Es Project)

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversidad Católica del MauleRan2024 to 2026Enrolled180ConditionsPhysical Inactivity in ChildrenArmsActive transport educational program based on the ecological model
NCT06747052 recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Gender Impact On Physical Activity In Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention: A Survey-based Cross-sectional Study in Regione Lombardia

TypeobservationalSponsorI.R.C.C.S Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant'AmbrogioRan2025 to 2026Enrolled1,310ConditionsPhysical Activity, Musculoskeletal Disease, Gender Equity
NCT07172490 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Interdisciplinary Program to Improve the Lifestyle of People With Complex Chronic Pathologies in the Alt Pirineu and Aran Region Using the APA-FIT App: Randomized Controllled Trial.

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of BarcelonaRan2025 to 2026Enrolled520ConditionsNon-communicable Diseases (NCD), Cardiovascular Risk, Obesity PreventionArmsAPA-FIT interdisciplinary program
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2,152 citing papers in PubMed, 15 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 4,774 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Efficacy of Exercise-Based Interventions for Metabolic Syndrome: An Umbrella Review With Meta-Analyses.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2026
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  7. Physical Literacy and Obesity Risk in Children: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026
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  9. Socioeconomic inequalities in exposure to neighbourhood environments for physical activity: a systematic review.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2026
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  16. 'It Felt Safe'. Experiences With an Early Cognitive Behavioural Approach After Lumbar Spinal Surgery: A Qualitative Study of Participants' Perspectives.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy · 2026
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2,092 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Regina GutholdDepartment for Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: gutholdr@who.int.
Gretchen A StevensDepartment for Information, Evidence and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
Leanne M RileyDepartment for Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland.
Fiona C BullDepartment for Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
University of Western Australia · AU

Funding

World Health Organization 001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInsufficient physical activity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases, and has a negative effect on mental health and quality of life. We describe levels of insufficient physical activity across countries, and estimate global and regional trends.

methodsWe pooled data from population-based surveys reporting the prevalence of insufficient physical activity, which included physical activity at work, at home, for transport, and during leisure time (ie, not doing at least 150 min of moderate-intensity, or 75 min of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or any equivalent combination of the two). We used regression models to adjust survey data to a standard definition and age groups. We estimated time trends using multilevel mixed-effects modelling.

findingsWe included data from 358 surveys across 168 countries, including 1·9 million participants. Global age-standardised prevalence of insufficient physical activity was 27·5% (95% uncertainty interval 25·0-32·2) in 2016, with a difference between sexes of more than 8 percentage points (23·4%, 21·1-30·7, in men vs 31·7%, 28·6-39·0, in women). Between 2001, and 2016, levels of insufficient activity were stable (28·5%, 23·9-33·9, in 2001; change not significant). The highest levels in 2016, were in women in Latin America and the Caribbean (43·7%, 42·9-46·5), south Asia (43·0%, 29·6-74·9), and high-income Western countries (42·3%, 39·1-45·4), whereas the lowest levels were in men from Oceania (12·3%, 11·2-17·7), east and southeast Asia (17·6%, 15·7-23·9), and sub-Saharan Africa (17·9%, 15·1-20·5). Prevalence in 2016 was more than twice as high in high-income countries (36·8%, 35·0-38·0) as in low-income countries (16·2%, 14·2-17·9), and insufficient activity has increased in high-income countries over time (31·6%, 27·1-37·2, in 2001).

interpretationIf current trends continue, the 2025 global physical activity target (a 10% relative reduction in insufficient physical activity) will not be met. Policies to increase population levels of physical activity need to be prioritised and scaled up urgently.

fundingNone.

Indexed as

ExerciseSedentary BehaviorAdultFemaleGlobal HealthHumansMaleSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID30193830
OpenAlexW2890695304

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

and 3 more above

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.