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Why Excercise?
- In the past 20 years, obesity among adults has risen significantly
in the United States. The latest data from the National Center
for Health Statistics show that 30% of U.S. adults 20 years of
age and older--over 60 million people--are obese!
- The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than
tripled since 1980. Among children and adolescents aged 6-19 years,
16%--over 9 million young people--are considered overweight.
- Nearly half of American youths aged 12-21 years are not vigorously
active on a regular basis.
- About 14 percent of young people report no recent physical activity.
Inactivity is more common among females (14%) than males (7%)
- More than a third of young people in grades 9-12 do not regularly
engage in vigorous physical activity.
- Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity can cause or aggravate
many chronic diseases and conditions, incuding type 2 diabetes,
hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
Health Benefits of Physical
Activity:
- Reduce the risk of premature death
- Reduce the risk of developing and/or dying from heart disease
- Reduce high blood pressure or the risk of developing it
- Reduce high cholesterol or the risk of developing it
- Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and breast cancer
- Reduce the risk of developing diabetes
- Reduce or maintain body weight or body fat
- Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Improve psychological well-being
- Enhanced work, recreation, and sport performance
A New View of Physical Activity:
- People who are usually inactive can improve their health and
well-being by becoming even moderately active on a regular basis.
- Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits.
- Greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount
(duration, frequency, or intensity) or physical activity.
Examples of Moderate Activity:
Less Vigorous, More Time |
Washing and waxing a car for 45-60 minutes
Washing windows or floors for 45-60 minutes
Playing volleyball for 45 minutes
Playing touch football for 30-45 minutes
Gardening for 30-45 minutes
Wheeling self in wheelchair for 30-40 minutes
Walking 1 3/4 miles in 35 minutes (20 min/mile)
Basketball (shooting baskets) for 30 minutes
Bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes
Dancing fast (social) for 30 minutes
Pushing a stroller 1 1/2 miles in 30 minutes
Raking leaves for 30 minutes
Walking 2 miles in 30 minutes (15 min/mile)
Water aerobics for 30 minutes
Swimming laps for 20 minutes
Wheelchair basketball for 20 minutes
Basketball (playing a game) for 15-20 minutes
Bicycling 4 miles in 15 minutes
Jumping rope for 15 minutes
Running 1 1/2 mile in 15 minutes (10 min/mile)
Shoveling snow for 15 minutes
Stairwalking for 15 minutes |
More Vigorous, Less Time |
What can we do?
- Advocate for convenient, safe, and adequate places for people
to play and take part in physical activity programs
- Encourage school administrators and board members to support
daily physical education and other school programs that promote
lifelong physical activity, not just competitive sports
- Set a good example by being physically active and making healthy
eating choices.
- Tell people about sports and recreation programs in their community.
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov
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