Physical Activity
Lack of physical activity is a huge risk factor for obesity. As technologies advance and labor becomes more rare physical activity rates continue to decline. "The percentage of women reporting no physical activity jumped from 19 percent to 52 percent between 1988 and 2010; the percentage of inactive men rose from 11 percent to 43 percent over the same period." (Bach, 2014). Exercise helps prevent obesity and promotes overall health.
Physical Inactivity a leading cause of disease and disability
According to the CDC lack of physical activity can cause obesity, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Physical inactivity in youth is also a key indicator for obesity in adulthood (Yang, 2007). Children are not the only ones suffering from physical inactivity, according to the CDC 3 in 4 adults and 4 in 5 high school students do not get enough physical activity in the United States..
Benefits of Physical Activity
It is well known that physical activity can have a surplus of health benefits. According to the CDC physical activity can promote better sleep, better cognitive function, more energy, and bone health. Physical activity is also one of the best ways to prevent very common and very serious diseases such as dementia and osteoporosis.
How Much Exercise is Needed?
AT LEAST 150 MINUTES PER WEEK OF MODERATE INTENSITY EXERCISE
It was previously commonly believed that the health benefits of physical activity was directly related to the amount and the more exercise you do the more health benefits. This would often discourage people from becoming physically active because they felt they did not have time to spend multiple hours in the gym. Luckily evidence shows that any increase in physical activity will increase health (Warburton, 2017). Studies show that the greatest health benefits come when moving from no physical activity to moderate amounts of physical activity (Warburton, 2017).
