Increasing physical activity levels and combating a sedentary lifestyle: major public health challenges

Encouraging the French population to engage in more physical activity and sports is essential and constitutes one of the three objectives of the 2024 National Cause. It is also the primary objective of the one-year partnership framework agreement signed between Santé publique France and the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Through this partnership, each party commits to coordinating and amplifying its efforts to promote physical activity and sports.

Physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle are indeed risk factors for many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, obesity, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes. According to data from the 2021 Public Health France Barometer, published in the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 3 out of 10 men and 4 out of 10 women do not meet physical activity recommendations, and 1 in 5 French people are aware of the full physical activity recommendation, namely: “At least 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity per day.”

The recommendations of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS) aim to help French people make the best dietary choices and lead an active lifestyle to stay healthy. Regarding physical activity, the recommendations are:

• for adults: at least 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity per day, meaning moderate- to high-intensity activity;

• for adolescents: at least 1 hour of physical activity per day, including intense activities 3 times a week.

The Santé publique France Meetings, designated a National Cause

As part of the National Cause initiative, the agency has organized the 2024 edition of the Santé publique France Meetings, focused on promoting physical and sports activity and reducing sedentary lifestyles.

On the agenda for these two days:

• A plenary session on the theme “Experimentation and Behavior Change,” during which the OECD spoke about effective policies to increase physical activity.

• A focus on: How can we adapt our sports practices and physical activity in the context of climate change?

• A session on “Sports as a setting for implementing health promotion initiatives.”

• A session: “From Theory to Practice: Behavioral Sciences in the Service of Public Health,” which featured a presentation on physical activity among adolescents.

Initiatives to promote health-enhancing physical activity year-round

Throughout the year, Santé publique France helps promote physical and sports activity and its benefits, and encourages the public to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day for adults, and at least 1 hour for children and adolescents.

Its initiatives aim to foster an environment that encourages the adoption or maintenance of an active, less sedentary lifestyle and healthy eating; to improve the public’s knowledge and skills; and to support the work of professionals across a wide range of sectors (health, social services, education).

The agency leverages its prevention programs, its regional network, its owned media, and its partnerships through various initiatives:

• prevention campaigns such as the one regularly broadcast since 2022 to encourage teenagers to be more active in their daily lives;

• the mangerbouger.fr website, which combines theoretical and practical content with the aim of influencing knowledge and the implementation of recommendations on physical activity;

• indicators and scientific findings (the Esteban study, the Santé publique France Barometer).