By Zayamy Hassan
The World Health Organization (WHO), has said that engaging in physical activities for at least 30 minutes daily can help prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi, disclosed this at the third edition of the global “Walk the Talk” health challenge exercise in Abuja at the weekend.
He revealed that NCDs including diabetes, hypertension, cancer and chronic diseases are on the rise due to lack of physical activities.
Dr Kazadi regretted that many people between the ages of 30 to 69 die prematurely from NCDs in low- and middle-income countries across the world.
Explaining the reason behind the ‘Walk the Talk’, he said: “Today, we are here to create awareness for people to engage in physical activities. To bring everybody to know about NCDs and its effect.
“Globally, the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and chronic diseases are growing due to lack of physical activities.
“We do it once a year on the side to kick off World Health Assembly. Health Assembly that is starting tomorrow. We want to add our contribution to that global campaign for everyone to become active as part of our effort to beat NCDs.
“This is what we should be doing every day for at least half an hour if we are to beat NCDs. It is worthy of note that, NCDs, also known as chronic diseases, tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.
“The main types of NCD are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
“NCDs disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income countries where more than three-quarters of global NCD deaths – 31.4 million – occur.”
