Climate Change May Push Millions Into Physical Inactivity by 2050, Lancet Study Warns

A study published in The Lancet Global Health warns that rising global temperatures due to Climate Change could significantly increase physical inactivity worldwide by 2050, leading to major health and economic consequences. Researchers estimate that heat-driven inactivity may contribute to an additional 4.7 to 7 lakh premature deaths annually,

The findings suggest that increasing temperatures may hinder global efforts to meet World Health Organization (WHO) targets of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030. As extreme heat limits outdoor and even indoor activity, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, people may be forced into more sedentary lifestyles.

The study analyzed data from 156 countries between 2000 and 2022 to model future trends. It found that for every additional month with average temperatures exceeding 27.8°C, physical inactivity could rise by 1.5 percentage points globally and up to 1.85 percentage points in low- and middle-income countries. In regions with high humidity and heat, safe physical activity during peak hours may be restricted to minimal movement, such as sitting or lying down.

In India, projections indicate a mortality rate of 10.62 deaths per 1,00,000 population linked to physical inactivity by 2050 under different climate scenarios. This highlights the growing intersection between environmental change and public health risks.

Currently, nearly one in three adults globally does not meet WHO's physical activity recommendations, which include at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly.

Researchers emphasize that physical inactivity should now be treated as a climate-sensitive health issue, requiring urgent interventions such as heat-safe infrastructure, shaded spaces, and accessible cooling facilities.

REFERENCE: García-Witulski C, Rabassa M, Melo O et al.; Effects of climate change on physical inactivity: a panel data study across 156 countries from 2000 to 2022; The Lancet Global Health; DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00472-3