Physical inactivity is killing twice as many Europeans as obesity, according to a landmark report from the University of Cambridge.

A 12-year study – published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition – found that around 676,000 deaths in Europe each year can be attributed to inactivity, while 337,000 die from being overweight.

Noting that both thin and overweight people are at a higher risk of health problems if they are inactive, the researchers conclude that encouraging everyone to do at least 20 minutes of brisk walking a day would bring substantial benefits.

There has been a groundswell of support in recent years for the notion that physical inactivity, rather than obesity, is the source of modern health woes.

The physical activity sector has led the way through campaigns such as ukactive’s award-winning Turning the tide of inactivity, Public Health England’s Everybody Active, Every Day and Sport England’s Get Healthy, Get Active.

One of the key conclusions from these campaigns has been the need to build a stronger evidence base to demonstrate the efficacy of physical activity in improving public health. The new report offers a timely boost and follows ukactive CEO David Stalker’s calls for stronger data to support the physical activity sector’s quest to become a ‘central pillar of the nation’s public health strategy.’

“This study cuts to the heart of the work that ukactive have been doing for years to underpin the fight against inactivity with a firm evidence base,” said Stalker, who noted that the UK is one of the most inactive countries in Europe.

“There are small indications of the importance of physical activity is hitting home – just this morning at the launch of Labour's Public Health campaign, Andy Burnham said his party's vision was 'to get 50 per cent of people active by 2025', insisting that this will 'not just be another government target but emblematic of Labour's vision for Britain'.

"We know there is cross party support for turning the tide of inactivity; now it's time to move beyond talking and into action."

To access the full report Physical activity and all-cause mortality across levels of overall and abdominal adiposity in European men and women: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study click here.