- 155 million Indian adults and 45 million adolescents fail to meet WHO physical activity guidelines.
- Urban women and girls suffer the most from a gender divide in sports and physical activity.
- Increasing national physical activity by 2047 could boost India’s GDP by INR 15 trillion and reduce healthcare costs.
The Dalberg SAPA report reveals a concerning trend in India, where 155 million adults and 45 million adolescents do not meet WHO guidelines for physical activity.
Urban women and girls face an alarming gender divide, with a third not meeting WHO’s physical activity guidelines.
Bridging the Gender Divide: The Call for More Sports and Physical Activity in India
A new report by Dalberg highlights a pressing issue in India: widespread physical inactivity, especially among women. Despite the known health benefits, 155 million adults and 45 million adolescents fall short of meeting WHO’s recommended levels of physical activity. Walking, while commonly practiced, is not diverse enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The report finds only 10 percent of adults engage in sports, with inconsistent participation.
The gender divide is particularly stark in urban areas, where misconceptions about menstruation and pregnancy prevent many women from staying active. Additionally, lack of access to safe spaces for physical activity adds to the challenges women face. This divide is less pronounced in rural areas, where physical labor is more common, yet still problematic in terms of structured sports participation.
Incorporating more sports and diverse physical activities could yield national benefits. According to the report, increasing the country’s physical activity levels could raise India’s GDP by over INR 15 trillion by 2047. This change could prevent millions of cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and save trillions in healthcare costs, especially for conditions like obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Closing the gender divide in physical activity can bring societal benefits, from improved worker productivity to better mental health outcomes. If the country can mobilize more women into sports and physical activities, it could also contribute significantly to women’s empowerment, bridging the gap between men and women in both fitness and health-related outcomes.
Addressing India’s physical inactivity and gender divide in sports is essential not only for individual well-being but also for the country’s development. By making physical activity accessible and inclusive for all, India stands to improve its societal health and economic future.
“Physical inactivity contributes to low worker productivity, low education attainment, and health-related ailments, holding back India’s potential.”
