The positive effect that physical activity has on lifestyle diseases

With lifestyle diseases on the increase it is important that we have a proactive response. By exercising regularly the following diseases can be affected positively; obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease.
 

Obesity

to claim that 300,000 deaths a year in America are linked to obesity. This is the second largest environmental killer, with only tobacco claiming more lives. Obesity is caused when an individual consumes more energy than they exert, and the body then stores the excess energy as fat.

Due to lifestyle changes and labour saving devices we now require 800 kilocalories a day less than we did 20 years ago. This has not been addressed and as a result the number of overweight & obese people has increased. To maintain a healthy weight it used to be thought that 30 mins of moderate exercise was enough to prevent excess weight gain. This figure has recently been changed and now the recommended amount of moderate activity is 45-60 mins or less for vigorous activity.

High blood pressure

Regular exercisers have been found to have lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures when compared to sedentary individuals. Less stress is put on the heart when systolic and diastolic figures are reduced. People with hypertension are recommended to perform a minimum of 30 mins of moderate activity everyday if possible.

Look out for information on coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, which will be available in the near future.

For more information and please contact a fitness adviser at either Greenhouse 1 (Manor Rd, 0116 271 9144) or Greehouse 2 (Main Campus, 0116 223 1159).