There is information abound on the health-benefits of choosing more physically challenging lifestyles; yet many people fail to take charge of their health.
The past Surgeon General estimates that nearly eighty-five percent of the most dreaded diseases like cardiovascular disease, which kills greater than one-half million women yearly, could be prevented with regular exercise and sensible eating. Maybe the following statistics will shed light on the importance of incorporating fitness into your life.
Declining Health
- In the United States about 300,000 deaths occur annually due to inactivity and poor dietary habits
- Less active adults are at greater risk of dying of heart disease and developing chronic ailments such as colon cancer, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
- Nearly 60 million Americans have a form of heart or blood vessel disease
- 60% of American adults fail to engage in suggested amounts of exercise
- Older people are commonly less active than younger adults
- Less affluent individuals tend to be less active than affluent individuals
- Physically inactive people often have weaker support systems from family and friends
- Disabled people are less likely than people with no disabilities to engage in moderate physical activity
- U.S. women tend to be more sedentary than men
- By age 75, approximately 50% of women and 33% of men partake in no physical activity
Physical Inertia By Ethnicity
- Physical inactivity is more common in African Americans and Hispanics than with American whites.
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in African Americans.
- Mortality rates for African American women are higher than any other ethnic group (Latinas closing) for nearly every major cause of death including heart disease, lung cancer, breast cancer, obesity complications and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.
- Rates of obesity and high blood pressure among blacks (Latinos closing) are among the highest in the world.
- Compared to whites, young African Americans have a two-to threefold greater risk of ischemic stroke.
The Cost Of Diabetes
Diabetes affects an estimated eighteen million people in the US (90 percent to 95 percent have type 2 diabetes). Thirteen million have been diagnosed and slightly over five million are unaware they have the disease.
According to recent US statistics, diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death, and the fifth leading cause of death from disease. Diabetes costs $90 billion annually in medical costs. It costs $40 billion annually in indirect costs (loss of work, disability, loss of life). Diabetes is the number one cause of adult blindness in the United States.
For more information on the benefits of exercise against disease, visit PreventDiease.com or read Health Psychologist Kate Lovett's scholarly article on exercise and disease prevention.
Always check with a medical professional before starting any exercise or nutritional program.
References:
Hatfield F. (2004). Exercise and Diabetes. Fitness the Complete Guide, 604 - 609.
Jenkins M. & O’Connell M. (2005). Nutrition: You Really Are What You Eat. The Jump Off, 164 – 181.
Obesity in America.org. 2007. Obesity Trends. (Online), April 19, 2007.
Ohio State University Medical Center. (2007). Statistics About Diabetes. (Online), April 19, 2007.
