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Posted by admin on 2024-09-09 |

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It's no secret that fitness isn’t exactly India’s strong suit. Whether it’s the lack of public spaces to exercise, the hot and humid climate, or cultural habits that make the couch more appealing than the court, the stats don’t lie. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the percentage of obese individuals in India has been steadily rising. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 ranked India at 145 out of 195 countries in terms of health and wellness, indicating poor fitness levels.

A groundbreaking national survey on sports and physical activity by Dalberg Advisors, Asia Pacific, and Sports and Society Accelerator shows that a whopping 20 crore Indians aren’t active enough, according to WHO standards. Just to give you an idea, WHO recommends that adults should clock in at least 150 minutes of activity each week, and kids should be moving for at least 60 minutes daily.

What the Numbers Say: Shocking Stats

• 1 in 5 parents think their kids should prioritize studying over playtime.
• 48% of older adults believe they’re too old to play or exercise.
• 45% of Indians think that girls risk bodily harm by playing sports, which might even hurt their marriage prospects.

"One of the biggest myths we need to bust is that physical activity messes with academics," says Swetha Totapally, regional director for Dalberg Advisors, Asia Pacific. “In reality, it complements and even boosts academic success. Physical activity and sports bring about physiological changes, mood regulation, increased stamina, and cognitive improvements, all of which lead to better individual outcomes. A healthier workforce also boosts national outcomes.”

The survey suggests that if India becomes fully active by 2047, it could add over Rs 15 trillion to the GDP annually.

The Gender Divide

The situation is even more troubling when you look at the gender gap. Urban girls in India are hit the hardest. Women, in general, are swamped with household chores and caregiving, which takes up about three-quarters of their time, leaving almost no room for a decent workout.

On top of that, there are tons of misconceptions that keep women from being physically active. Myths like pregnant or menstruating women shouldn’t exercise, fears of getting injured, the belief that muscles are “too masculine,” and the idea that women above a certain age should avoid sports are all baseless. None of this has any scientific backing.

The Real Benefits of Exercise

Exercise has way too many benefits to be ignored. But while these myths still float around, sportswear companies are eyeing India as a growing market. Decathlon, for instance, is planning to invest a cool ?932.6 crores in India over the next five years, and Reliance Retail is gearing up to launch its own sportswear line.

Government Efforts

The Indian government is trying to promote both physical activity and sports through initiatives like the yoga push and Khelo India. These are great steps, but what’s really needed is to highlight how a sedentary lifestyle can lead to some serious health issues.

Another key move would be improving access to parks, pools, and other recreational facilities so more people can get active.

The Urban-Rural Fitness Gap

As India’s cities grow at a rapid pace, inactivity levels in urban areas are nearly double those in rural regions. There’s a huge need to integrate physical activity into schools. The survey showed that 67% of students said their school didn’t have basic sports equipment like bats, balls, or rackets, and 21% of students said their school didn’t even have a playground. Worse yet, school sports facilities are often reserved for top athletes, and gender discrimination is still an issue.

What People Want

Most people want public spaces that are close to home, clean, and free. A solid 70% of people said proximity (within 15 minutes from home) was a big factor in sticking to an exercise routine. But 51% of the parks in the national capital aren’t clean and lack basic amenities like dustbins. For women, safety is a major concern, with poor lighting and unruly crowds being the biggest turn-offs.

So, if India wants to step up its fitness game, it’s clear that we’ve got some work to do—both in busting myths and making exercise more accessible and safer for everyone.