Why does staying active matter?
The combination of regular exercise and healthy eating is the best recipe for good health. Not only does regular exercise increase the efficiency of the functioning of different body systems, it also play a major role in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes while also providing a way to lose weight. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans lists the benefits of regular physical activity and exercise:
Issues with Inactivity
The major drawbacks of inactivity are the increased chances of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes and weight gain. Studies indicate that even with all our knowledge about the advantages of physical activity only 30% of adult Americans are regularly physically active and 40% are never physically active. Other reports state that the greatest drop in physical activity (24%) occurs between late adolescence and early adulthood, around the time when young adults leave home after high school, whether for college or gap-year programs. The causes of this decline may be as varied as a decrease in participation in organized sports to the freedom to binge drink to the choice of social activities over physical ones. The resources provided in this section offer both conventional and unconventional locations for physical activity in Jerusalem, from traditional gyms to walking paths to an American football league.
How much time do I need to spend exercising?
If you are transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to an active lifestyle, any increase in physical activity is beneficial. The
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans advises that adults engage in 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (an activity that increases your heart rate) per week or at least 1 1/2 hours of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, or some combination. Your day's worth of physical activity does not need to be completed in one sitting but can be broken up into smaller bouts of at least 10 minutes.
The combination of regular exercise and healthy eating is the best recipe for good health. Not only does regular exercise increase the efficiency of the functioning of different body systems, it also play a major role in preventing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes while also providing a way to lose weight. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans lists the benefits of regular physical activity and exercise:
- Sleep improvements
- Heart, lung, and muscle fitness improvement
- Boosts your mood and relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression (and stress)
- Type 2 diabetes prevention
- Protection from developing certain cancers
- Increases chances of living longer and healthier
- Helps keep weight off after weight loss, prevents weight gain, and promotes weight loss
Issues with Inactivity
The major drawbacks of inactivity are the increased chances of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes and weight gain. Studies indicate that even with all our knowledge about the advantages of physical activity only 30% of adult Americans are regularly physically active and 40% are never physically active. Other reports state that the greatest drop in physical activity (24%) occurs between late adolescence and early adulthood, around the time when young adults leave home after high school, whether for college or gap-year programs. The causes of this decline may be as varied as a decrease in participation in organized sports to the freedom to binge drink to the choice of social activities over physical ones. The resources provided in this section offer both conventional and unconventional locations for physical activity in Jerusalem, from traditional gyms to walking paths to an American football league.
How much time do I need to spend exercising?
If you are transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to an active lifestyle, any increase in physical activity is beneficial. The
The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans advises that adults engage in 2 1/2 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (an activity that increases your heart rate) per week or at least 1 1/2 hours of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, or some combination. Your day's worth of physical activity does not need to be completed in one sitting but can be broken up into smaller bouts of at least 10 minutes.
References
1. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Available at: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/. Accessed 1 February 2014.
2. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2009: With Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus09.pdf. Accessed 1 February 2014.
3. Michaels J. Fitness often not a priority for college students. Chicago Tribune. January 2, 2012.
1. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Available at: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/. Accessed 1 February 2014.
2. National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2009: With Chartbook on Trends in the Health of Americans. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus09.pdf. Accessed 1 February 2014.
3. Michaels J. Fitness often not a priority for college students. Chicago Tribune. January 2, 2012.