Wellington woman Rebecca Sore works hard to make sure exercise remains part of her weekly routine. Pictured here with five month old son Tommy Sore.

A global study on physical activity has "staggered" its New Zealand researcher with findings that show Kiwis are less active than Americans, and on par with Iraqis for regular exercise.

AUT professor of physical activity Erica Hinckson said news New Zealand ranked 88th out of 110 nations for physical activity was a surprise even to her.

"I was hoping we would be further up the list."

The data, from the Global Observatory for Physical Activity, revealed New Zealand women came in even lower than men when it came to reaching 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

The study shows there are more deaths due to physical inactivity in New Zealand than the global average.

"It means that non-communicable diseases are rising in New Zealand, like type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease in adults and children as well."

Hinckson said New Zealand needed to pay attention to the data and "escalate" its response through more large-scale interventions for all age groups by the government.

"And not just a focus on sports, because it's not just sport – you don't have to be in a structured, organised event."

In October the government announced a package of anti-obesity measures comprising nutrition and lifestyle advice, but this was focused on pregnant mothers and children.

Sports and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman was unavailable for comment on the study findings.

The global study was released on Friday and included report cards for 131 nations, including New Zealand where about half of adults find time for the weekly exercise target.

Broken down by gender, 56 per cent of men reach the target, but only 48 per cent of women.

The news did not come as a surprise to Wellington woman Rebecca Sore who blends part time work and two young children with her exercise programme.

With a five month old baby, Sore said she doesn't reach the 150 minutes per week level, but will ramp up her exercise with more jogging in the near future.

Sore could only find the time to exercise after the birth of her first child three years ago because she joined Active Mums a service that provides fitness training for mums.

The sessions allowed the mums to take their children with them.

Sore takes two sessions with the group each week, and tries to jam in incidental exercise in her daily routine such as the 40 minute round walking trip to and from work.

She said her fitness classes "pretty much saved my life" because there were few gyms that offered creches.

"If you've got a partner working long hours, like I do, and no family around, it's really hard to find time to exercise."

In the global rankings New Zealand barely nudged ahead of Iraq, where 51 per cent of its people reached the 150 minutes per week of physical activity.

The US was well ahead of New Zealand, ranked at number 57. Germany was the top ranked Western country at 25.

The number one nation for physical activity was Nepal, where 96 per cent of the population reach the 150 minute bar.

Hinckson's message to New Zealanders was a simple one: "We need to think about taking every opportunity to be active. We don't have to pay money for the gym, or a special trainer to come and show us how to do things. It's actually quite simple."

International rankings:

The top five nations for physical activity

1. Nepal

2. Mozambique

3. Tanzania

4. Vanuatu

5. The Russian federation

The top ranked Western nation was Germany, at 25.

The bottom five nations were, Wales, Greece, Venezuela, Jordan and in last place was Turkey.

Getting physical

The number of New Zealanders who do 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week.

Overall 52 per cent of adults

48 per cent of women

56 per cent of men

Death toll

In New Zealand 12.7 per cent of deaths are related to physical inactivity.

Worldwide the number of deaths from physical inactivity is 9 per cent.