By Lissa Wohltmann
Just in case you don’t know, thought I’d rattle off a few facts about physical activity around the country. Regular physical activity has consistently been coupled with a decrease in a variety of physical ailments such as cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and a host of others. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Leading Health Indicators, regular physical activity for adults is considered to be 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week or vigorous activity at least 20 minutes per day, three days a week. In addition, adolescents should get the same amount as an adult engaging in vigorous physical activity. As of 2005, only non-Hispanic white men have reached the Healthy People 2010 goal of 50 percent of a population engaging in the aforementioned amount of physical activity. Because regular physical activity is such a disease deterrent, it is important that every able-bodied person engage in it.
The number of Americans who actually participate in the amount of physical activity necessary to impede certain diseases is relatively small. According to the CDC’s database of Prevalence and Trends, only 21 percent of the adult population engaged in any type of physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, in 1996. Just two years later, that percentage dropped to 20.4. By the year 2000, the percentage change was to 21.8 percent of the population adhered to the aforementioned physical activity. At this rate, the percentage of people getting the proper amount of physical activity is almost flat; nearly 80 percent of the population is not getting the minimal amount of movement per week. And yes, Oklahoma is the fifth un-physically active state in the country.
In light of the fact that the cost of treating diseases that could be avoided by participating in physical activity is increasing, one might surmise that the lack of physical activity is no longer a simple routine public health issue but has escalated to crisis mode. I’m not sure if the country has gone that far yet, but it should. So, my question to you is: what really would get you moving on a regular basis? Your blogger friends want to know—as do I.
Until next time….
Let's talk about a sustainable exercise. What would get ME moving? Not the commercial gyms. I have belonged to about 5 or more. Some were big and plush with the pool and the "Juice Bars." Two were for Women Only, one was a YMCA and one kept taking my money long after I wrote them to stop!!!. (Still trying to fight that one!)
ReplyDeleteThe tread mills and the slick exercise equipment with the skinny, perky people showing you how everything works were very inspirational but really I would see them once and poof--they were gone!
What inspires me? The real world with real smells, wind, weather and sights to see. I had the best exercise and lost the most weight with my bike. I wore out 3 used bikes and then I purchased a really nice Raleigh Cross that I like. Putting miles on those bikes was the best exercise ever. This is getting too long, sorry. More on this when I figure out to write my own blog)