Why Is Unhealthy Lifestyle Becoming a Global Problem Again?

The number of people who, despite the active promotion of health, suffer from lack of movement, bad habits and an unbalanced diet is increasing all over the world. An unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle has many negative consequences for the body and can significantly worsen a person's quality of life. The spread of an unhealthy lifestyle and its global consequences is the main topic of the new issue of trendletters, produced as part of a joint project of the Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Center and the UNESCO Futures Studies Chair (UNESCO Futures Literacy Chairs network).

For reference: This series of trendletters continues the practice of publishing reviews of global technological trends since 2014 and presents a unique database of global trends and challenges in the field of human development. This research of the HSE ISSEK is based on the results of iFORA Big Data System, the Delphi survey (with the participation of more than 400 leading foreign and Russian scientists), expert sessions and interviews. 

Despite the growth in the number of people who consciously relate to their health, more than a quarter of the world's population suffer from physical inactivity, and in developed countries this figure is even higher. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, as places for sports and outdoor activities have been closed. Physical activity could save up to 5 million people annually, and moderate-intensity training (only 2.5 hours a week) will reduce mortality by about 10%. 

Unbalanced nutrition is one of the key factors negatively affecting the health of the population. The diet of modern man increasingly includes products of deep processing and industrial production, excessive amounts of salt and sugar. Every year 1.7 million people die from excessive salt intake (more than 5 g per day), and 500 thousand people die from trans fatty acids of industrial production. The average inhabitant of the Earth consumes 59 g of sugar daily (at the WHO norm of no more than 25 g per day).  If the daily sugar allowance is exceeded by 25%, the probability of dying as a result of cardiovascular diseases doubles, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. According to forecasts, 42% of the world's population will be overweight in 2025. 

A significant proportion of the population resorts to destructive stress management practices (excessive use of gadgets, smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.). 

The total economic damage from smoking, including health care costs and losses from reduced labor productivity, is about $1.4 trillion per year, which is equivalent to 1.8% of global GDP. As a result of excessive alcohol consumption, up to 3 million people die annually (5.3% of the total mortality). In many countries, advertising of products harmful to health is prohibited, there are "tobacco-free zones" in public places, and healthy lifestyle is being promoted. 

The new issue is available via the link. 

Previous issues of trendletters can be found here.