In his work Let’s move!, manifesto for more active lifestylesformer MP Régis Juanico (Génération.s) warns of the risks of a sedentary lifestyle and the absence of sports practice on the health of the French, as the country prepares to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games .
Published on: 09/29/2023 – 12:26
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Attention danger. With increasingly sedentary lifestyles, the World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm, indicating that 30% of adults and 80% of adolescents do not engage in sufficient activity on a global scale. . However, the human body is designed to move and expend energy. In France, in 2024, the great national cause will be focused on “ the development of physical and sporting activity ».
Every year, a sedentary lifestyle kills between 40,000 and 50,000 people in France
In his work, Régis Juanico, expert in public sports policy, former deputy for the Loire, points out the risks of a sedentary lifestyle and provides keys to avoiding a large-scale health disaster. “ I worked as a parliamentarian on the weakness of the culture of prevention in France. I would like to reach the general public and use this book to popularize sporting activity. We need to break sedentary periods “, advances Régis Juanico to RFI.
According to the World Health Organization, nearly 30% of adults and 80% of adolescents do not get enough physical activity. © L’Aube-Jean-Jaurès Foundation
Every year, a sedentary lifestyle kills between 40,000 and 50,000 people in France. In France, the obesity rate has doubled in 25 years. The youngest have lost 25% of their physical abilities in four decades. Régis Juanico indicates that “ physical activity begins to decrease upon entry into primary school and continues to decrease throughout school and again during student life “. In the meantime, the time spent sitting accumulates more and more.
Sports practice reduces the premature mortality rate
However, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day for each citizen could reduce premature mortality by 17%, and by 35% when the activity is of high intensity, according to a study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center among 7,999 Americans over 45. “ Younger generations are developing chronic illnesses that previously affected adults of a certain age. We reserve a shorter life expectancy in good health for them if we continue not to take a sedentary lifestyle seriously. », warns Régis Juanico.
The author recommends the establishment of an hour of daily physical activity at school and the strengthening of sport in secondary schools, without forgetting higher education, and the development of university campuses. Higher education concerns more than three million young people in France. “ Among adolescents, we are at the back of the pack in terms of school sport at European level », specifies Régis Juanico.
The former parliamentarian also campaigns for so-called “adapted physical activity” (APA) sessions, permitted since a 2016 law, and partly covered by certain mutual insurance companies. They are intended for people with chronic illnesses and long-term conditions. A doctor can prescribe physical activity sessions, but they are not reimbursed by Social Security.
Paris 2024 to become aware of the benefits of sport
Cancers, mild depression, diabetes: scientific studies have been proving for years the benefits of physical activity alongside treatments. For Régis Juanico, we should start by reimbursing the first consultation – assessment and questionnaire – which is not covered by Health Insurance.
According to several studies, including one conducted in 2021 by the National Cancer Institute, doctors rarely prescribe appropriate physical activity, due to lack of training and also “ due to lack of visibility and funding ».
Régis Juanico would like us to rely on the social skills of the departments to increase APA towards vulnerable populations (elderly people, people with disabilities or beneficiaries of social minimums). It’s not about making these people run a marathon, but about walking, taking the stairs or gardening. Which makes him say: “ Gardening works on endurance, balance and flexibility. And it’s outdoors. Hours spent on a chair are very bad for the human body. »
A few months before the Paris 2024 Games, will France take advantage of this event to realize that sport is the number 1 medicine for maintaining your body and staying in good health for as long as possible? “ The challenge of Paris 2024 is the development of sports practice everywhere and for everyone, including people with disabilities.reacts Régis Juanico. Hence the need to succeed in the Paralympic Games. We must develop the sport and above all allow the federations to welcome more licensees. Additional management capacities are needed from September 2024. This will be one of the first legacies of the Games in France. »
« The fight against a sedentary lifestyle and the promotion of regular, lifelong physical activity must become a common thread in public health prevention. », writes Régis Juanico in conclusion.
Let’s move !, manifesto for more active lifestyles, by Régis Juanico, written in collaboration with Hakim Kellaf (former Sports Advisor at Matignon). L’Aube-Jean-Jaurès Foundation, 146 pages, 16 euros.
