The true economic burden of the physical inactivity "pandemic" sweeping the world has been revealed.
A world-first study published in The Lancet has found a lack of physical activity cost the world nearly $US70 billion ($A90 billion) in 2013.
Australia's part of that bill was more than $A805 million.
These are just conservative estimates but hopefully the study highlights the economic burden of an increasingly sedentary world, lead author Dr Melody Ding from the University of Sydney said.
Lack of physical activity leads to obesity and premature death but it's enormously costly, she added.
"Physical inactivity is recognised as a global pandemic that not only leads to diseases and early deaths, but imposes a major burden to the economy."
Researchers calculated the cost of physical inactivity by examining the direct health-care expenditure and productivity losses associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer in 142 countries.
A lack of exercise is linked to these five non-communicable diseases and the researchers estimated in 2013 they cost the world economy more than $US67.5 billion.
"At a global and individual country level these figures are likely to be an underestimate of the real cost, because of the conservative methodologies used by the team and lack of data in many countries," said Dr Ding.
High-income countries bear a large proportion of the economic burden associated with physical inactivity.
The authors say the study justifies the urgency among many to prioritise promotion of regular physical activity.
Professor Adrian Bauman, a member of the Lancet Physical Activity Series Steering Committee, says exercise is key to reducing the high rates of chronic disease.
"Increasing physical activity levels in communities is an important investment that governments should consider which could lead to savings in healthcare costs and more productivity in the labour market," he said.
The cost of global of inactivity in Australia in 2013
Direct costs to healthcare expenditure: $A640M
Loss in productivity: $A165M
Loss in tax revenue through public health expenditure: $A425M
What health insurance companies pay: $A91M
Household out-of-pocket expenses: $A124M
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