The Benefits of Physical Activity
“Regular physical activity done three times a week for 30 minutes at a time for moderate levels of activity greatly reduces the risk of developing and or dying from many of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States.”
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U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity says physical activity will improve health because:
Reduces the risk of dying prematurely
Reduce the risk of developing heart disease
Reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease
Reduces the risk of developing diabetes
Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure
Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer
Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
Help control weight
Reduce blood pressure in people who already have HBP
Helps build/maintain healthy bones, muscles, joints (reducing osteoporosis)
Promote psychological well-being
The Benefits of Eating a Balanced, Nutritional Diet:
A. Eating a variety of foods in the fight proportion will help avoid the problems of overeating and help obtain a variety of nutrients.
B. Maintaining a healthy weight will decrease chances of heart disease, stroke, cancer and obesity.
C. Choosing a diet that is low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol is helpful in preventing high blood pressure heart attacks, strokes, and obesity. (Did you realize that just eating one candy bar a day in excess of your calorie needs could add 26 pounds to you body in a year?) High blood pressure and heart attacks are caused by blockage within the arteries. A stroke is caused when a blood clot goes to your brain.
D. Choosing a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits and grain products helps prevent constipation, diverticulosis, cancer, obesity, heart attack and strokes. The fiber also helps us absorb and use the nutrients in foods in a better way.
E. Using sugars in moderation will help prevent obesity and tooth decay and allow us to eat more nutrient rich foods.
F. Using salt land sodium in moderation will lessen the risks associated with high blood pressure, which is associated with heart attack and strokes.
Image Source: Exercise Testing and Prescription, David C. Nieman, 5th Ed.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, NY 10020, 2003.
