By 2050, extreme heat will reduce people's physical activity, increasing the risk of diabetes and heart attack.

News Topical, Digital Desk : A recent study published in the journal "The Lancet Global Health" paints a grim picture of the future. According to the study, rising temperatures due to climate change will  make people around the world more physically inactive by 2050.

Especially in countries like India, where heat is already a major challenge, physical inactivity is projected to increase even more than in other countries. This isn't just a matter of sweating or discomfort; it's a sign of a serious medical emergency. Let's understand how this can affect health. 

The connection between temperature and physical inactivity

According to the study, when average temperatures exceed the 27.8°C threshold, people's outdoor activity declines significantly. Researchers found that each monthly increase in temperatures above this threshold increases physical inactivity by 1.5% globally. 

This figure is even more concerning for low- and middle-income countries like India, where the increase could reach 1.85%. It is estimated that physical inactivity in India will increase by approximately 2 percentage points by 2050.

Serious health effects

Increasing physical inactivity among people is already a silent killer. But if this problem worsens, cases of serious illnesses could increase significantly.

• Rising Non-Communicable Diseases - Lack of exercise directly increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure . India is already considered the diabetes capital of the world. Increasing physical inactivity will further exacerbate this crisis.
• Cancer risk: Physical inactivity can lead to problems like obesity, inflammation, hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance, which increase the risk of cancer.
• Mental health impact: Getting outside and exercising is a great way to reduce stress and improve mental health. Staying indoors due to extreme heat can increase cases of depression and anxiety .
• Premature death – The study clearly warns that physical inactivity will increase the risk of serious diseases, which could lead to premature death of millions of people.

Economic and social impact

This crisis won't be limited to hospitals. If a large population is physically unfit, it will impact productivity. If the country's workforce is not physically fit, it will have a direct impact on the economy.  

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