Physical Inactivity Is Just As Deadly As Smoking

A new study has confirmed that being physically inactive can be just as deadly as smoking. In fact, one-third of adults worldwide are not doing enough physical activity, leading to just as many deaths as smoking.

According to researchers, physical inactivity has become such a problem that it should be treated as a pandemic. It leads to 5.3 million deaths each year, with 1 out of 10 people dying from diseases such as colon cancer, heart disease and diabetes. In fact, the most inactive people seem to live in higher-income nations, with the U.K. being the most inactive overall.

Researchers are hoping that the 2012 Olympics will inspire people to become more active, with the hopes that governments will put forth an effort to make exercise more convenient and affordable.