news Quarter of Americans now health club members
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SHUTTERSTOCK/BEARFOTOS
ore than one in four (27 per cent) Americans belonged to a health club or studio in 2021, with the total number of fitness membership reaching 66.5 million. The figures, from industry body IHRSA, represent 3.8 per cent growth over the past two years (since 2019) and are the highest ever recorded. Liz Clark, IHRSA president and CEO, said: “It’s a clear indication of the importance of the bricks and mortar component of the fitness industry that growth returned despite 27 per cent of Americans belonged to a health club or studio in 2021
IHRSA
the lockdown of clubs, the severe governmental restrictions imposed, and the surge in digital offerings. “It’s also a strong testament to the value of clubs and studios, the importance of community, the quality of in-person instruction, and the expansive offerings of the on-site experience.”
It’s a clear indication of the importance of fitness that growth returned despite lockdowns Liz Clark
The number of total visits decreased from 6.7bn in 2019 to 4.5bn, while, the average number of annual visits to clubs per individual fell from 109 to 72, largely as a result of pandemic-related government mandated closures which impacted clubs during this time. More: http://lei.sr/2C5W8_H
Obesity causes 1.2m premature deaths a year
SHUTTERSTOCK/LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS
The findings come from the WHO European Regional Obesity Report
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Issue 6 2022 ©Cybertrek 2022
WHO / PIERRE ALBOUY
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ccording to The World Health Organization’s recently-released research study, WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022, a third of children and almost twothirds of adults in Europe are obese. The research found obesity causes 1.2m deaths each year across WHO’s 53 member states in Europe. Researchers recorded a drop in physical activity levels during the pandemic, along with an increased intake of fatty, sugary and salty foods, but, although obesity levels were amplified by the pandemic, their cause runs far deeper in society. “Obesity poses an increasing challenge in Europe, with one in three school-aged children, one in four adolescents and almost 60 per cent of the adult population now
Obesity poses an increasing challenge in Europe, with a third of schoolchildren now overweight Henri Kluge
living with being overweight or obese,” explained Dr Hans Henri Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe. “Raised body mass index (BMI) is a major risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, including cancers and cardiovascular diseases.” More: http://lei.sr/j6z7j_H
