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I think we have intellectual awareness of the need to exercise. I’m certain we’ve all heard the call, seen the dismal statistics of obese-related health problems . . . and their cost. The estimated total cost of obesity in the United States in 2000 was about $117 billion, that was eight years ago.
I would say we all know we should be doing it. So why aren’t we? Here’s some sobering stats:
“Since the mid-seventies, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased sharply for both adults and children. Data from two NHANES surveys show that among adults aged 20–74 years the prevalence of obesity increased from 15.0% (in the 1976–1980 survey) to 32.9% (in the 2003–2004 survey). The two surveys also show increases in overweight among children and teens. For children aged 2–5 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.0% to 13.9%; for those aged 6–11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 18.8%; and for those aged 12–19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 17.4%.”
“Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 50% of U.S. adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits; 24% are not active at all in their leisure time. Activity decreases with age, and sufficient activity is less common among women than men and among those with lower
incomes and less education. Insufficient physical activity is not
limited to adults. About two-thirds of young people in grades 9–12 are not engaged in recommended levels of physical activity. Daily participation in high school physical education classes dropped from 42% in 1991 to 33% in 2005.” http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/dnpa.htm
Below is a map showing the growing rate of obesity in the USA over the last 15 years.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/dnpa.htm
I know the things in my world that make exercising difficult. It’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, sweaty, boring, and painful. Now, I realize we don’t have to lift weights to be healthy, and I don’t. There are far less demanding ways to lead an active life without becoming an athlete. The American Diabetes Association has several wonderful suggestions for gently incorporating movement into your day. Even just cleaning your house is a wonderful low-level activity. Getting up to change the channels and mowing the lawn are also suggested. Here’s a good one, playing with your kids.
This brings me to the “easy way”. We are creatures of comfort and it is hard to motivate ourselves to work harder than we have to. Most of our economy is based on convenience items: remotes for our TV’s, automobiles for everyone of age, elevators, even men in golf carts to drive you to the big building so you don’t have to walk too far. I’ve seen easy chairs with cup holders and meal trays built right in. Even our food is easier to prepare. Scissors are now a staple in my kitchen so I can cut those bags of frozen dinners open – seemed homemade since I dirtied a pan.
There are so many benefits to exercising regularly:
Physical activity improves quality of life.
Physical activity extends longevity, protects against the development of
CHD, stroke, hypertension, obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and depression.
Physical activity helps maintain full functioning and independence among
the elderly.
Relationships between physical activity and improved health include:
A reduced oxygen demand at any given level of physical activity.
A reduced tendency for blood to form clots where arteries have narrowed.
An increased elasticity in the arteries.
Changes in the brain and brain chemistry that may improve mood and
cognitive functioning.
More than 60% of US adults do not engage in the recommended amount
of activity.
Approximately 25% of US adults are not active at all.
A 1993 study concerning causes of death in the US: #1 Tobacco, #2 Lack of
exercise/poor diet, #3 Alcohol.
Chronic disease costs the US $655 Billion in healthcare costs.
In this year, 1.5 million people will have a heart attack in the US and
500,000 will die. http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwfit/physicalactivity.html
Gamers now have video games that involve whole body movement, Wii is one. It’s quite popular at the nursing home I work at. With that game, people are moving as though they are playing a sport while holding a little box. This appears as a sport on the TV set and their movements are mimicked by the cartoon character that is playing them. Well, this is a start.
How do we get motivated? Peer pressure might help. Through government programs, involved citizens, and media coverage, many people might think again about getting off their you-know-whats. Scotland has many successful programs for activities. The constant for all of the programs is hiring enthusiastic, dedicated individuals to run them. Enthusiasm is contagious. In smaller communities, scheduled walking outings are offered a few times a week and locals need only to find the one that fits their schedule.
Encouragement and availability are key factors to participation. Of course, our food chain needs re-vamping as well, but that was our essay in the last unit.
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