Bayan Jaber is known for her expertise, leadership, and advocacy. Located in Summerville, SC, She has an excellent educational background from Wayne State University and Saint Elizabeth University. Her journey in the field has been marked by dedication, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Bayan is the Regional Clinical Director at Discovery ABA Therapy, NC East Region. Her contributions go beyond clinical practice and encompass mentorship, outreach, and promotion of diversity and inclusion within the profession. Join us as we delve into Bayan’s insights on success, entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges, and maintaining productivity amidst the demands of a dynamic field.
Interview with Bayan Jaber
How do you define success, and how long did it take you to find it?
Success is not limited to achieving personal goals but extends to creating a positive impact in the lives of others. It represents an ongoing professional and personal growth journey while contributing positively to the communities we serve. In this regard, success is marked by milestones, setbacks, and constant refinement of one’s vision and purpose. As a practitioner and leader in behavior analysis, I have found that success is a gradual process of discovery, learning from experiences, and evolving as a professional.
What are the qualities of a good entrepreneur?
A good entrepreneur in behavior analysis embodies qualities such as resilience, adaptability, vision, and empathy. They can identify opportunities for innovation and growth while staying true to the core principles of applied behavior analysis. Practical communication skills in interpersonal relationships and strategic planning are crucial for building collaborative partnerships and driving positive change. A commitment to ethical practice and continuous professional development is paramount for long-term success in this dynamic field.
What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?
Like many professionals in behavior analysis, I faced various challenges at the outset of my career. Establishing credibility and building a solid reputation in the field required dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from successes and setbacks. Navigating the complex landscape of regulations, funding sources, and interdisciplinary collaboration posed significant hurdles. Still, each challenge presented an opportunity for growth and refinement of my behavior analyst and leader skills.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the growing emphasis on technology-driven solutions and data analytics in behavior analysis. Advances in telehealth, wearable devices, and data visualization tools hold immense potential for enhancing the accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of behavioral interventions. By harnessing the power of technology, we can extend the reach of behavior analysis services, tailor interventions to individual needs, and empower clients to achieve meaningful outcomes in diverse settings.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could advise my younger self, I would emphasize the importance of resilience, self-compassion, and embracing uncertainty. The journey of professional growth is not linear, and setbacks are inevitable along the way. Instead of dwelling on failures or setbacks, focus on learning from them, adapting to change, and staying true to your values and principles. Remember to prioritize self-care, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and surround yourself with mentors and peers who inspire and support your journey.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me stay productive is setting clear goals and prioritizing tasks based on their impact and urgency. I can maintain focus and momentum toward achieving my objectives by breaking down larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps. Regular reflection and time management strategies, such as the Pomodoro Technique, help me optimize productivity while preventing burnout and overwhelm.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, stepping back and engaging in activities promoting mindfulness and relaxation is helpful. Whether taking a short walk outdoors, practicing deep breathing exercises, or engaging in a creative hobby, these moments of self-care allow me to recharge and regain perspective. I also value seeking support from colleagues, mentors, or peers who can provide guidance, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on the challenges.
Key Takeaways
In improving behavior, Bayan Jaber’s story shows us how important it is to keep trying, be creative, and always do our best. She is an excellent example of someone who believes that everyone should be included, and she encourages others to learn and grow in their profession. Bayan is making a significant impact on the future of her field, and her work will help people for many years to come.
Bayan Jaber
Summerville, South Carolina
Bayan Jaber is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a rich educational background from Wayne State University and Saint Elizabeth University. Licensed in Michigan and a member of COBA, Bayan excels in VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, and AFLS assessments. As the Regional Clinical Director at Discovery ABA Therapy, NC East Region, Bayan leads clinical supervision and case management, enhancing the service area through strategic outreach.
Public speaking, often dubbed the “art of communication,” is a skill that can wield immense influence in both our professional and personal lives. It’s the tool that transforms ideas into action, individuals into leaders, and dreams into realities.
As the sage investor Warren Buffet eloquently puts it, “If you can’t communicate, it’s like winking at a girl in the dark—nothing happens. You can have all the brainpower in the world, but you have to be able to transmit it. And the transmission is communication.”
But here’s the paradox: while communication is vital, the very thought of public speaking sends shivers down the spines of countless individuals. This apprehension is recognized as glossophobia – an overwhelming fear of addressing an audience.
Surveys indicate that 72-75% of the population fears public speaking to some degree, making glossophobia one of the most common phobias. For many, it’s not merely a fear; it’s an incapacitating dread that can hinder personal and professional growth.
In this article, we explore the causes of presentation anxiety, the prevalence of glossophobia, and advice from experts on overcoming this fear.
The Roots of Presentation Anxiety and Stage Fright Panic Attacks
Public speaking involves presenting ideas, information, or stories to an audience to persuade or inform. It can range from presenting a business proposal to delivering a speech at a social event. The fear of public speaking is rooted in anxiety about being the center of attention and the possibility of making mistakes or being judged negatively.
Glossophobia is a specific social anxiety disorder. Public speaking anxiety may originate from various sources, such as:
Fear of Judgement: Many people fear that their audience will judge them harshly, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
Performance Anxiety: The pressure to perform well and the fear of making mistakes can lead to anxiety.
Traumatic Experiences: Some individuals may have had negative experiences while speaking in public, which can intensify their fear.
Self-Consciousness: Fear of being the focus of attention and self-consciousness about one’s appearance or voice can exacerbate glossophobia.
How Common is Glossophobia?
Glossophobia is astonishingly common, affecting a large portion of the population. Experts estimate that it impacts up to 75% of individuals. However, the severity of this fear can vary widely. Some people may experience mild nervousness at the prospect of public speaking. In contrast, others undergo full-blown panic attacks when faced with this situation.
Expert Advice on Overcoming Glossophobia
To better understand how to overcome the fear of public speaking, we contacted experts in the field for their insights.
1. Matt Eventoff, Founder of Princeton Public Speaking:
Eventoff emphasizes the importance of practice. He suggests that “The most important public speaking advice is to practice. The more one speaks, the less uncomfortable you become over time.” Practice not only improves your speaking skills but also boosts your confidence.
2. Warren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway:
Buffet highlights the significance of early exposure to public speaking. He advises, “You have to do it; the sooner you do it, the better. Learning the right habits when you’re young is much easier. Just get yourself out there and force yourself into situations with people.”
3. Paul Russell, Doctor of Psychology and Managing Director of Luxury Academy:
Russell emphasizes positive self-talk. He suggests that you “Remind yourself that the people in the room want to listen to you and what you have to say. You could try putting a picture of a person that helps you to feel calm on the podium in front of you, and any time you feel nervous, pretend you are talking to them.”
Coping Strategies for Overcoming Glossophobia
Know Your Material: Becoming intimately familiar with your subject matter through thorough preparation can significantly boost your confidence. This knowledge will provide a safety net during your presentation, helping you stay on track even if anxiety creeps in.
Practice with Trusted Individuals: Practice your speech in front of someone you trust. This enables you to become more comfortable with the material and receive constructive feedback, which is invaluable for improvement.
Visualize Success: Use positive visualization techniques to imagine yourself delivering a successful speech. Visualization can help reduce anxiety and build confidence.
Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help calm your nerves before and during a speech. You can manage stress and maintain a clear mind by taking deep breaths.
Trauma Connection to Glossophobia
As a form of social anxiety, public speaking anxiety can be intertwined with past traumatic experiences. Some individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have an increased fear of speaking in public. Melanie Squire, a Utah trauma consultant and public speaker, notes that this fear can stem from feelings of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected.
Melanie Squire advises that “getting familiar with your material by practicing in front of someone you trust” can be an effective strategy.
For Squire, who speaks to first responders and survivors of traumatic events, preparation and a positive outlook are crucial when addressing a traumatized audience. Being well-prepared, strong, and positive can help engage an audience that has experienced trauma.
Conclusion
Overcoming glossophobia and the fear of public speaking is an attainable goal. With practice, self-assurance, and strategies like visualization and controlled breathing, individuals can learn to manage their anxiety and become more effective public speakers. Furthermore, for those who have experienced trauma, sensitivity to the audience’s needs and a prepared, positive approach can help bridge the gap between the speaker and the audience.
As experts like Melanie Squire, Matt Eventoff, Warren Buffet, and Paul Russell suggest, practice and early exposure to public speaking are critical components in addressing glossophobia and becoming a confident communicator.
Businesses and organizations turn to commercial cleaning services when maintaining a clean and safe environment. These services play a pivotal role in ensuring that workplaces, institutions, and public spaces are aesthetically pleasing and free from health hazards. In this article, Assett Commercial Services delves into the world of commercial cleaning, highlighting its differences from house cleaning, its importance in various sectors like healthcare, schools, churches, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its role in construction cleanups.
What is Commercial Cleaning?
Commercial cleaning refers to the professional cleaning services provided to businesses, organizations, and public spaces. It encompasses various tasks, from routine janitorial services to specialized cleaning for specific industries and environments. The primary objective of commercial cleaning is to maintain a clean, healthy, and safe workspace while enhancing the facility’s overall appearance.
The Difference Between Commercial Cleaning and House Cleaning
Commercial cleaning and house cleaning may seem similar on the surface, but they are distinct in several key ways:
Scope and Scale: Commercial cleaning typically involves larger spaces, such as offices, warehouses, schools, and healthcare facilities. House cleaning focuses on individual residences, which are generally smaller.
Frequency: Commercial cleaning often occurs regularly, such as daily or weekly, to maintain a consistently clean environment. House cleaning is usually scheduled less frequently, based on the homeowner’s needs.
Specialization: Commercial cleaning services are trained and equipped to handle specific industry needs, like medical cleaning in healthcare facilities. House cleaners primarily focus on residential cleaning tasks.
Tools and Equipment: Commercial cleaning often requires specialized equipment, such as industrial-grade vacuums, floor buffers, and disinfection systems, which may not be used in house cleaning.
Healthcare Cleaning Services
Healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, require unique cleanliness and sanitation. Healthcare cleaning services specialize in maintaining these environments to prevent the spread of infections and ensure patient safety.
Critical aspects of healthcare cleaning include:
Infection Control: Thorough cleaning and disinfection to prevent the transmission of diseases within the facility.
Compliance: Adherence to strict regulatory standards, such as those set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Specialized Training: Cleaning staff receive specialized training to properly handle biohazardous materials and medical waste.
School Cleaning Services
Maintaining a clean and hygienic school environment is crucial for the health and well-being of students and staff. School cleaning services focus on creating a safe and conducive learning environment.
Essential considerations for school cleaning services include:
Germ Control: Effective cleaning and disinfection to reduce the risk of illnesses spreading among students and staff.
Safe Cleaning Products: Using non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning products to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.
Flexible Scheduling: Cleaning services often work outside of school hours to avoid disruptions during classes.
COVID-19 Cleaning Services
The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the importance of thorough cleaning and disinfection. COVID-19 cleaning services specialize in decontaminating spaces with confirmed or suspected cases.
Key elements of COVID-19 cleaning services include:
Rapid Response: Quick deployment of cleaning teams to sanitize areas exposed to the virus.
Use of Disinfectants: Approved disinfectants and techniques to eliminate the virus effectively.
Protective Gear: Cleaning staff equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure their safety.
Church Cleaning Services
Churches and places of worship require regular cleaning to provide congregants with a clean and welcoming environment. Church cleaning services cater to the unique needs of religious institutions.
Important considerations for church cleaning services include:
Respect for Sacred Spaces: Cleaning staff must be sensitive to the religious significance of their cleaning space.
Flexible Scheduling: Cleaning services often work around religious events and gatherings to avoid disruptions.
Maintenance of Historical Buildings: In some cases, churches may be historical buildings requiring specialized cleaning techniques.
Construction Cleanup Services
Construction sites can be messy and hazardous—construction cleanup services step in after construction or renovation projects are complete to prepare the space for occupancy.
Critical aspects of construction cleanup services include:
Debris Removal: Thorough construction debris removal, including dust, nails, and materials.
Detail Cleaning: Cleaning all surfaces, including walls, floors, and fixtures, to ensure a polished final appearance.
Safety Considerations: Adherence to safety protocols to minimize the risk of accidents during cleanup.
Contact Assett Commercial Services
Whether you require healthcare cleaning, school cleaning, COVID-19 cleaning, church cleaning, construction cleanup, or general commercial cleaning services, Assett Commercial Services is here to meet your needs. Our experienced professionals are committed to delivering top-quality cleaning solutions tailored to your specific requirements.
Contact Assett Commercial Services today to learn how we can help you maintain a clean, safe, and inviting environment for your business, organization, or facility. Our expertise extends across various industries, and our goal is to ensure your space remains pristine and welcoming.
Laboratory science is a vital field that plays a critical role in diagnosing and treating disease. Medical technologists, also known as clinical laboratory scientists, are responsible for performing a wide variety of tests on blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids.
These tests help doctors diagnose illnesses, monitor treatment progress, and determine the best course of care for their patients.
There are many benefits to a career in laboratory science.
1. It is a challenging and rewarding field that offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. Medical technologists play a crucial role in the healthcare team, and their work is essential to diagnosing and treating disease.
2. Laboratory science is a stable and growing field with excellent job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of medical technologists will grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the aging population, which is more likely to have chronic health conditions requiring laboratory testing.
3. Laboratory science is a well-paying field. The median annual salary for medical technologists was $53,120 in 2020. Salaries vary depending on experience, education, and the geographic location of the job.
4. Laboratory science is a versatile field that offers a variety of career options. Medical technologists can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and research institutions. They can also specialize in multiple areas, such as blood banking, hematology, microbiology, and immunology.
5. Laboratory science is an excellent career for people interested in science and math. Medical technologists must have a strong understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics. They must also be able to think critically and solve problems.
Suppose you seek a challenging and rewarding career with excellent job prospects. In that case, laboratory science may be the perfect fit. To learn more about this field, we found Sharon Fellner, a medical technologist that pursued laboratory science instead of a medical residency.
Sharon Fellner’s Story
Sharon Fellner is a medical technologist that currently works at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Sharon says that she loves her job because it is challenging and rewarding. She also enjoys that she can make a difference in people’s lives.
Sharon obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Louisiana State University in 2007, which laid the foundation for her future academic and professional pursuits. Sharon’s passion for genetics and the human body led her to pursue a Master’s in Human Genetics from Tulane University in 2011.
With a strong desire to contribute to the medical field, Sharon earned her Doctorate in Medicine from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2018. Sharon has displayed a keen interest in research throughout her academic journey and has published articles in renowned scientific journals. Her research has made significant contributions to human genetics.
Sharon Fellner says she would encourage anyone interested in a career in laboratory science to go for it. She says that it is a great career with excellent job prospects. She also says it is a rewarding career that allows you to make a difference in people’s lives.
If You Are Interested in a Career in Laboratory Science
If you are interested in a career in laboratory science, there are a few things you can do to get started. First, you should take science and math classes in high school. It would help if you also considered taking a college-level course in laboratory science.
Once you have completed your education, you must pass a certification exam. The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) offers a certification exam for medical technologists. To be eligible to take the exam, you must have a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or a related field.
If you pass the exam, you will be a certified medical technologist. This certification will qualify you for jobs in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and research institutions.
A career in laboratory science is a great way to use your science and math skills to make a difference in people’s lives. If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career, then laboratory science may be the perfect fit.
On November 5th, 2023, Mena Wahezi will lace up her running shoes to participate in the TCS New York City Marathon. But she’s not just running for the thrill of the race – Mena is a Champion for CHAM, raising funds for the children’s hospital at Montefiore.
The hospital’s Quality inspired Mena’s decision to run for CHAM in Life Team (QUILT). This team of palliative care experts supports families navigating the uncertainty of life-threatening and fatal illnesses. QUILT provides compassionate care for patients and families, even when infection control measures prevent loved ones from being physically present.
As Mena Wahezi prepares for the marathon, she’s training her body and working to raise funds for CHAM’s QUILT team. By becoming a Champion for CHAM, Mena is helping to ensure that QUILT can continue to provide vital support to families when they need it most.
What is a Champion for CHAM?
A Champion for CHAM is someone passionate about supporting the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. As a Champion, you commit to raising funds for CHAM’s programs and services. You also have the opportunity to participate in events like the TCS New York City Marathon, using your passion and dedication to make a difference for children and families.
The funds raised by Champions for CHAM go directly to supporting the hospital’s programs and services. This includes funding for research, equipment, and facilities. It also supports programs like QUILT, which critically supports families navigating difficult medical decisions.
Why Support CHAM?
The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore is a world-class pediatric hospital providing care to children across the region. The hospital is known for its commitment to compassionate care and dedication to advancing pediatric medicine through research and innovation.
By supporting CHAM, you’re helping to ensure that the hospital can continue to provide the best possible care to children and families. Your donations support programs and services that make a real difference in the lives of patients and families.
For Mena, supporting CHAM is personal. She knows the hospital’s QUILT team supports families facing difficult medical decisions. By running the marathon and raising funds for QUILT, Mena is helping ensure other families can benefit from this essential service.
How You Can Get Involved
If Mena’s story inspires you and wants to make a difference for CHAM, you can get involved in many ways. Here are just a few:
Become a Champion for CHAM: Commit to raising funds for CHAM’s programs and services. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in events like the TCS New York City Marathon and make a real difference for children and families.
Donate to CHAM: Every donation makes a difference, no matter how small. Your support helps CHAM provide critical services to patients and families.
Volunteer at CHAM: If you live in New York, consider volunteering at CHAM. There are many opportunities to get involved and make a difference for patients and families.
Spread the Word: Help raise awareness about CHAM and its programs and services. Share Mena’s story and encourage others to get involved.
Conclusion
Mena Wahezi is running the TCS New York City Marathon on November 5th, 2023, to raise funds for the children’s hospital at Montefiore. As a Champion for CHAM, Mena is helping to support the hospital’s QUILT team, which provides vital support to families facing life-threatening and fatal illnesses.
The current state of physical activity is one of the most worrying. Despite all the disturbing statistics and studies about exercise that are flooding medical journals, people continue to live their lives as they are. This is a trend that has grown since the second half of the 20th century. However, it is now a modern-day disease. It is a condition that threatens the health and well-being of modern-age people.
These facts are a summary of some of the most disturbing stats about physical activity among US residents.
Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years
should do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, mostly aerobic, physical activity, across the week.
should incorporate vigorous-intensity aerobic activities, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 days a week.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary, particularly the amount of recreational screen time.
Adults aged 18–64 years
should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity;
or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week
should also do muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these provide additional health benefits.
may increase moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to more than 300 minutes; or do more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week for additional health benefits.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits, and
to help reduce the detrimental effects of high levels of sedentary behaviour on health, all adults and older adults should aim to do more than the recommended levels of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity
Adults aged 65 years and above
Same as for adults; and
as part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do varied multicomponent physical activity that emphasizes functional balance and strength training at moderate or greater intensity, on 3 or more days a week, to enhance functional capacity and to prevent falls.
Pregnant and postpartum women
All pregnant and postpartum women without contraindication should:
do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week
incorporate a variety of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits.
People living with chronic conditions (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, HIV and cancer survivors)
should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity;
or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week
should also do muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these provide additional health benefits.
as part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do varied multicomponent physical activity that emphasizes functional balance and strength training at moderate or greater intensity, on 3 or more days a week, to enhance functional capacity and to prevent falls.
may increase moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to more than 300 minutes; or do more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week for additional health benefits.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits, and
to help reduce the detrimental effects of high levels of sedentary behaviour on health, all adults and older adults should aim to do more than the recommended levels of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity.
Children and adolescents living with disability:
should do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, mostly aerobic, physical activity, across the week.
should incorporate vigorous-intensity aerobic activities, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least 3 days a week.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary, particularly the amount of recreational screen time.
Adults living with disability:
should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity;
or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week
should also do muscle-strengthening activities at moderate or greater intensity that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days a week, as these provide additional health benefits.
As part of their weekly physical activity, older adults should do varied multicomponent physical activity that emphasizes functional balance and strength training at moderate or greater intensity, on 3 or more days a week, to enhance functional capacity and to prevent falls.
may increase moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity to more than 300 minutes; or do more than 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity; or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week for additional health benefits.
should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity (including light intensity) provides health benefits, and
to help reduce the detrimental effects of high levels of sedentary behaviour on health, all adults and older adults should aim to do more than the recommended levels of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity.
It is possible to avoid sedentary behaviour and be physically active while sitting or lying. E.g. Upper body led activities, inclusive and/or wheelchair-specific sport and activities.
Benefits and risks of physical activity and sedentary behavior
Regular physical activity, such as walking, cycling, wheeling, doing sports or active recreation, provides significant benefits for health. Some physical activity is better than doing none. People can easily achieve the recommended activity levels by becoming more active throughout the day in relatively simple ways.
Physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for noncommunicable disease mortality. People who are insufficiently active have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active.
Regular physical activity can:
improve muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness;
improve bone and functional health;
reduce the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, various types of cancer (including breast cancer and colon cancer), and depression;
reduce the risk of falls as well as hip or vertebral fractures; and
help maintain healthy body weight.
In children and adolescents, physical activity improves:
physical fitness (cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness)
cardiometabolic health (blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, glucose, and insulin resistance)
mental health (reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression)
cognitive health
sleep
measures of adiposity may also improve
For pregnant and post-partum women
Physical activity confers the following maternal and fetal health benefits: a decreased risk of:
pre-eclampsia,
gestational hypertension,
gestational diabetes (for example 30% reduction in risk)
excessive gestational weight gain,
delivery complications
postpartum depression
newborn complications,
and physical activity has no adverse effects on birthweight or increased risk of stillbirth.
Health risks of sedentary behaviour
Lives are becoming increasingly sedentary, through the use of motorized transport and the increased use of screens for work, education and recreation. Evidence shows higher amounts of sedentary behavior are associated with the following poor health outcomes:
all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality and cancer mortality
incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer and type-2 diabetes.
Levels of physical activity globally
More than a quarter of the world’s adult population (1.4 billion adults) are insufficiently active
Worldwide, around 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men do not do enough physical activity to stay healthy.
Levels of inactivity are twice as high in high-income countries compared to low-income countries,
There has been no improvement in global levels of physical activity since 2001
Insufficient activity increased by 5% (from 31.6% to 36.8%) in high-income countries between 2001 and 2016.
Increased levels of physical inactivity have negative impacts on health systems, the environment, economic development, community well-being and quality of life.
Globally, 28% of adults aged 18 and over were not active enough in 2016 (men 23% and women 32%). This means they do not meet the global recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week.
In high-income countries, 26% of men and 35% of women were insufficiently physically active, as compared to 12% of men and 24% of women in low-income countries. Low or decreasing physical activity levels often correspond with a high or rising gross national product.
The drop in physical activity is partly due to inaction during leisure time and sedentary behavior on the job and at home. Likewise, an increase in the use of “passive” modes of transportation also contributes to insufficient physical activity.
Globally, 81% of adolescents aged 11-17 years were insufficiently physically active in 2016. Adolescent girls were less active than adolescent boys, with 85% vs. 78% not meeting recommendations of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per day.
Countries and communities must take action to provide everyone with more opportunities to be active, in order to increase physical activity. This requires a collective effort, both national and local, across different sectors and disciplines to implement policy and solutions appropriate to a country’s cultural and social environment to promote, enable and encourage physical activity.
Policies to increase physical activity aim to ensure that:
walking, cycling and other forms of active non-motorized forms of transport are accessible and safe for all;
labor and workplace policies encourage active commuting and opportunities for being physically active during the workday;
childcare, schools and higher education institutions provide supportive and safe spaces and facilities for all students to spend their free time actively;
primary and secondary schools provide quality physical education that supports children to develop behavior patterns that will keep them physically active throughout their lives;
community-based and school-sport programs provide appropriate opportunities for all ages and abilities;
sports and recreation facilities provide opportunities for everyone to access and participate in a variety of different sports, dance, exercise and active recreation; and
health care providers advise and support patients to be regularly active.
