Physical activity is by WHO defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.
It is important to distinguish physical activity from terms like "exercise", sport” or play”. Exercise, sport and play are all subcategories of physical activity, but physical activity includes many other forms as well. Physical activity can be done as part of playing, working, active transportation, house chores and recreational activities or other forms.
The WHO Regional Office in Europe has complied factsheets on the 28 European Union countries' experiences, policy development and action in the area of physical activity. These factsheets show specific areas of focus in terms of monitoring and surveillance based on a number of core indicators, as well as policies and action regarding physical activity. They also summarize the current status of physical activity promotion in the health and education sectors and present success stories and examples of good practice.
Find the factsheets and extra material on physical activity on WHO's website.
See SHEs researcher Jesper Von Seelen talk about physical activity