Harnessing Physical Activity for Health, Sustainability, and Economic Growth
A new position paper from the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) and Business at OECD (BIAC) highlights the untapped potential of physical activity to address global challenges in health, economic productivity and environmental sustainability.
The paper presents strong evidence of the broad benefits of physical activity and urges governments, industries, and communities to collaborate across sectors to prioritize policies and initiatives that promote active lifestyles.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Switzerland, Bern 10th February 2025 - The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), in collaboration with Business at OECD (BIAC), has unveiled a transformative position paper titled, “Physical Activity: The Transversal Benefits for Our People, Our Planet, Our Economy, and More Prosperous Societies”. The paper presents a compelling case for prioritising greater investment in physical activity by highlighting its untapped potential to address global challenges in health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.
Key Insights from the Paper Include:
- Economic Impact: Physical inactivity is projected to directly cost the global economy over $300 billion annually by 2030 due to preventable health conditions.
- Health Crisis: Currently, 31% of adults and 81% of adolescents globally fail to meet WHO-recommended physical activity levels, contributing to a growing public health burden.
- Call to Action: The paper urges governments, industries, and communities to collaborate across sectors to prioritize and fund policies and initiatives that promote active lifestyles.
Prominent Sports Brands Leading by Example
The paper features examples from world-leading sports brands, including Nike, Speedo, adidas and ASICS, that showcase innovative, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to fostering active lifestyles. Body Confident Sport – an initiative by Nike partnering with Dove, gives coaches the tools they need to build body confidence in adolescent girls and encourage them to remain active throughout their lives. Speedo’s Swim United programme in the UK ensures all children can swim 25 meters and self-rescue by the time they leave primary school in 2025. adidas’ investment into research resulted in the development of adaptive sportswear to directly tackle the barriers faced by adolescent and pregnant women in staying active, and ASCIS Movement for Mind programme - focuses on improving the mental health of office workers by encouraging them to take a break from their desk.
According to Caroline Brooks, WFSGI’s Head of Physical Activity, “Our joint paper with Business at OECD highlights the broad-reaching benefits of physical activity, from health to climate resilience, education, and economic growth. By addressing societal challenges through physical activity, and demonstrating the actions that the private sector can take, we reaffirm our important role in promoting and providing solutions. However, collaborative, multi-sector partnerships are key to unlocking these benefits fully.”
According to Hanni Rosenbaum, Executive Director, Business at OECD, “Physical activity is not just about fitness; it is the foundation of a healthier life and thus a more resilient and productive society. Exercise fuels our bodies, sharpens our minds, and connects us with others, proving that being part of an active world encourages individuals and society to thrive."
Caroline Brooks is Available for Interviews to discuss:
- Policy recommendations for integrating physical activity into public health strategies.
- The economic, environmental, and societal advantages of increasing physical activity.
- Practical and innovative solutions from the sporting goods industry to tackle physical inactivity.
The WFSGI’s advocacy underscores the immense potential of physical activity as a cost-effective investment for healthier, more sustainable societies. The organization calls on policymakers, businesses, and communities to join forces in creating environments that empower individuals to live active and healthier lives.
Read the full paper here.
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About WFSGI: The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is the global voice of the sporting goods industry. Representing brands, manufacturers, retailers, and national federations, WFSGI advocates for policies and initiatives that foster health, sustainability, and economic growth through sport and physical activity.
Media Contacts:
For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Caroline Brooks, please contact: Fiola Foley
Email: fiola@4seasoncollective.com Mob: +353 87 032 5565
To reach the media team at Business at OECD, please contact: Max Jablonowski, BIAC Communications and Campaigns Advisor
Email: jablonowski@biac.org Mob: +33 1 42 30 09 61
Media Pack
Further resources: https://wfsgi.org/2024/06/adult-physical-inactivity-levels/
Images free to download and use here
