The problem and its consequences Regular physical activity is one of the most important components of a healthy lifestyle. This can include running, walking, swimming, working in the garden or yard, as well as many other activities. However, America is a more physically inactive society than in the past, with as many as 31% of people currently classified as inactive. The WHO (World Health Organization) places physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for death globally, causing approximately 6% of all deaths (3.2 million) each year (2014). In the United States, it is ranked as the second leading cause of death after tobacco use (Warren et al. 2010). The United Health Foundation (UHF) states that physical inactivity is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and premature deaths (2013). The WHO estimates that physical inactivity is responsible for 35% of all cases of heart disease, 27% of all cases of diabetes, and 21-25% of all breast and colon cancers (2014). Physical inactivity is defined as anyone who has not engaged in any type of physical activity other than their regular job in the last 30 days (UHF 2013). The WHO recommends that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day and that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week to achieve substantial health benefits (2014). Americans' sedentary lifestyle may be contributed by several factors, such as the availability of more sedentary forms of transportation, decreases in physical activities during leisure time, improvements in home technology, as well as technological advances in many areas of work, which they make physical labor less common. . The...... middle of paper......th from liver and pancreatic cancer, as well as lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's myeloma. Physical inactivity not only contributes to some of the deadliest health problems in America, but also costs approximately $24 billion annually in direct medical costs (UHF 2013). The American Heart Association (AHA) states that obesity associated with physical inactivity costs American businesses up to $225 billion per year in health-related productivity losses (2013). The average cost of health care per individual is approximately $3,000 per year. An obese person costs employers an additional $460-2,500 per year in sick days and medical expenses (AHA 2013). The numerous health problems along with the increased medical costs associated with physical inactivity should be of concern to public health officials and should be addressed immediately.