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

A few weeks before the opening of the Olympic Games, linked to the promotion of physical activity and sports as a “major national issue 2024”, the French Public Health Organization publishes a study on the sedentary lifestyle and physical activity of the French, in relation to the recommendations set by the World Health Organization: at least two and a half hours. of moderate activity per week, or an hour and a quarter of continuous activity.

Breaking it down into a breakdown closer to the regions, the study shows that Occitanie is fairly active, and in any case more than the national average. We are also less stable than average.

Men are more active, women are more sedentary

“In 2021, 72.9% of men and 59.3% of women met physical activity recommendations.” Refers to public health in France. But the French are also champions of a sedentary lifestyle: “More than one in five adults reported spending more than seven hours a day in a sitting position, and the prevalence of screen time exceeds three hours a day.”
It reached 39%.”

A more detailed analysis of the regions shows significant disparities in physical activity: “Brittany and Occitanie have a prevalence much higher than the national prevalence in contrast to Ile-de-France and north-eastern France which have a prevalence much lower than the national prevalence.”.

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

Big differences also for a sedentary lifestyle: “In France, Burgundy Franche-Comté, Occitanie and Nouvelle Aquitaine performed better than average.” Public Health France says.

Regarding a sedentary lifestyle, only healthy recommendations are advised “restrict”Without a quantitative target, the data shows that “More than one in five adults report spending more than seven hours a day in a sitting position.” And 39% have “Entertainment screen time is greater than three hours per day.”

In Occitania, 17.7% of men are described as unstable, and 19.5% of women.

In France, nine out of ten adults declare this “Get up at least every two hours if you sit for a long time.”.

Age, gender, educational level, location, who does sports?

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

The same applies to a sedentary lifestyle that affects “the youngest” There are more educated people, more urban residents than rural residents, and more single people than families.

Physical activity and good health: a proven link

“Lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for many non-communicable diseases.”Physical activity is a protective factor for cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases or some types of cancer, as stated by the Public Health Authority of France, which evaluates “for the first time” The prevalence of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle, based on studies conducted in 2021.

Indicators chosen for compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations depend on practice“At least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75 to 150 minutes of continuous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate-intensity or vigorous-intensity physical activity per week.”

By “aerobic activity” we mean brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming, etc.