Physical Activity,Proper Nutrition and Obesity

Eating a balanced diet and being physically active are two of the most important things you can do to be and stay healthy at any age. A balanced diet includes eating the right amount of calories and nutrients to maintain a healthy weight.

Physical activity is any form of movement that uses energy. People of all shapes and sizes and abilities can benefit from being physically active. Some physical activity is better than none and the more you do the more benefits you gain.

Physical activity coupled with proper nutrition provides long-term health benefits for everyone. By being active, you will burn calories that you store from eating throughout the day and hence alleviate the chances of obesity.

Getting regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can help:

• It lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.

• It doesn’t take marathon training to see real health gains. A 30-minute brisk walk on five days of the week is all most people need. Getting any amount of exercise is better than none.

• Prevent weight gain and/or promote weight loss.

• Reduce fat.

• Promote strong bone, muscle, and joint development.

• Condition heart and lungs.

• Build overall strength and endurance.

• Improve sleep.

• Decrease potential of becoming depressed.

• Increase your energy and self-esteem.

• Relieve stress.

• Improve cognitive function in older adults.

• Increase your chances of living longer.

Being active can also improve your personal appearance, encourage fun with family and friends, maintain the ability to live independently, and enhance fitness for sports.

Regular physical activity helps the body function better and is a key component for losing weight. The precise amount of exercise needed to achieve or maintain a healthy weight varies based on a person’s diet and genes. The popular idea is “more activity increases the probability of success.”

How much exercise do you need?

Physical activity guidelines — including strength training and flexibility training — explain how much you should be moving. Keep exercise safety in mind, too.

Subject : Screening for obesity

• Obesity is the condition where the person’s body weight is well over the normal weight for his or her height and age.

• Obesity can lead to many medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and several cancers.

Screening for obesity

• All persons aged 18 years and older should be screened once a year.

• The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to measure an adult’s body fat.

Weight (kg)

BMI = ---------------------------------------

Height (m) x Height (m)

How do you know that you are overweight or obese?

Weight Status Healthy weight Overweight Obese

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BMI 18.5 to below 25 25 to below 30 30 and above

Do not be a Couch Potato: More recently, studies have found that people who spend more time each day watching television, sitting, or riding in cars have a greater chance of dying early than people who are more active. Researchers speculate that sitting for many hours may change peoples’ metabolism in ways that promote obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. It is also possible that sitting is a marker for a broader sedentary lifestyle. Furthermore, staying active does not mitigate the harmful effects of sit time. As you plan your daily activity routine, remember that cutting down on “sit time” may be just as important as increasing “fit time”.

So Stay Healthy, Stay Happy.

#Physicalactivity