Sedentary lifestyle, physical activity and health: a narrative review

The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a scientifically sound basis, in Spanish, for supporting the promotion of physical activity as an indispensable component of healthy living. The review is based on two special volumes recently published in the journals Lancet and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, as well as a collection of original manuscripts from other sources. The concepts of sedentary lifestyle and screen time and their health consequences are discussed, as well as the personal and socioeconomic consequences of insufficient physical activity. Some recent strategies to help people become more physically active are discussed. The latest information on the interaction between regular physical activity and health from the perspective of cognitive function, cancer, excess weight, mortality, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy, diseases in older adults, hypertension, and osteoarthritis is summarized. The general guideline of at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per week for a healthy life in adults and older persons is reaffirmed; when evidence permits, specific recommendations are presented.