Physical Activity and Nutrition: Adults
Adults, like children, need activity and good nutrition for their health and well-being. Today, according the American Public Health Association, approximately two thirds of all American adults are overweight or obese.
People of all sizes, shapes and health status benefit from being active. Recent research shows that good fitness improves mortality, in spite of existing conditions such as heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking. Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease and decreases the risk for colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces falls among the elderly; helps to relieve the pain of arthritis; decreases stress levels; reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression; and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician visits, and medications. Moreover, physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial; people of all ages benefit from moderate physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week.
Improving eating habits can be as simple and positive as working toward getting your “five-a-day”…the five fruit or vegetable servings shown to improve health. It is a fun challenge that students enjoy as well. Modeling healthful lifestyle behaviors for students, such as drinking water instead of soda, is important.
The extent of the problem…
Adult Obesity:
- Following dramatic increases in overweight and obesity among U.S. adults between 1987 and 2000, obesity has reached epidemic proportions; over 45 million adults are obese.
- People who are overweight are at increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis-related disabilities, and some cancers.
- The estimated annual cost of obesity and overweight in the United States is about $117 billion.
Low Activity Levels:
- Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 60% of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits.
- More than 25% are not active at all in their leisure time.
- Activity decreases with age and is less common among women than men and among those with lower income and less education.
Poor Eating Habits:
- We now know that good nutrition lowers the risk for many chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
- For example, for at least 10 million Americans at risk for type II diabetes, proper nutrition and physical activity can sharply lower their chances of getting the disease.
- Only about one-fourth of U.S. adults eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Health Risks:
- At least one-third of all cancers are attributable to poor diet, physical inactivity, and overweight(CDC).
- Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating contribute to obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Together, they are responsible for at least 300,000 deaths each year. Only tobacco use causes more preventable deaths in the United States. People who avoid the behaviors that increase their risk for chronic diseases can expect to live healthier and longer lives (CDC).
- Over 80 percent of people with diabetes are overweight or obese (APHA).
Some solutions and links…
1. Eat Better: Take a look at your eating habits and try to improve them. Try to eat a variety of whole-grain foods and plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods fill you up and are lower in calories than foods full of oils or fats. Also try to only eating when you are hungry. For more information on healthy eating, visit http://www.5aday.gov for tips, recipes and additional advice on how to eat healthier. Also visit the Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source for updated nutrition news.
2. Increase Physical Activity: Making physical activity a part of your daily life is an important way to help control your weight and lower your risk for health problems. Spend less time in activities that use little energy like watching television and playing video games and more time in physical activities. Being physically active does not obligate you to spending hours at the gym. It can allow you to spend time with those you enjoy. You can accomplish the recommended physical activity levels by doing a number of activities, including: pushing a stroller, gardening, stair climbing, walking, dancing and bicycling, to name a few. For tips on how to incorporate more physical activity in your life visit the Center for Disease Control.
Home |