Physical inactivity or lack of physical activity is one of the leading risk factors for mortality worldwide and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer.
One in 10 adults has an insufficient level of physical activity, and this rate increases in the adolescent population to reach a figure of 80%. According to the WHO, 3.2 million people die each year from a sedentary lifestyle.
Overweight, alcohol abuse, tobacco consumption, high-fat diet, low fruit and vegetables are detrimental to our health. It is estimated that over 60% of the world's population does not engage in physical activity.
In the report of the STEP study carried out in Togo in 2010 by the WHO and mentioned in a previous article, 6 out of 10 people (69.3%) practice physical activity, among them, The largest age group was between 35 and 45 years of age. But unfortunately there is a significant proportion of the population (13%) who adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Other results from the same study show that in urban areas, the rate of physical exercise is 17.4%, but in rural areas it would be 10.2%. However, the highest prevalence of physical inactivity was observed in Lomé-commune (19.4%) and lowest in Kara (6.4%).
The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle.
• Obesity.
• Cardiovascular illnesses.
• Sudden death.
• Osteoporosis.
Infertility.
• Low back pain.
•Accelerated aging.
• Worsening of the effects of menopause.
• Low productivity at work.
• Joint pain.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Depression.
• Kidney problems.
• Risk of colon cancer.
• Circulatory problems.
To avoid the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, you should practice exercises and stay active most of the time as much as possible. This applies to all ages, including the 3rd age. Being physically active should not only be understood as playing sports. It also includes the everyday movements you can do with your body, including carrying out household chores. Physical activity is defined as a movement that involves a contraction of your muscles.
If you can not go to a gym, there are plenty of activities that help you use energy and burn calories, such as walking, cycling, stairs, swimming, dancing, work Gardening, etc. According to the WHO, with 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week or 75 minutes of aerobic exercise, we can help our bodies stay active. The type and intensity of exercise depends on your age and your medical condition. A recent study conducted in I newspaper Circulation found that activity even without weight loss, could reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Among the many benefits of exercise, we can mention among others:
• Maintains bone density.
• Better control of blood pressure.
• Improves insulin resistance in diabetic patients.
• Helps prevent colon cancer because it accelerates the passage of waste through the intestines.
• Helps prevent or lessen the onset of breast and prostate cancer as it regulates the level of hormones
• Increases oxygen flow to the brain, improves concentration and learning, memory and alertness.
• Helps maintain body weight.
• Improves fitness and physical endurance.
• Reduces fatigue.
• Improves joint flexibility and movement.
• Improves self-esteem, reduces stress, phobias, panic attacks and depression.
• Reduces the number of workplace accidents
Obesity and sedentary lifestyles especially in children, is like a large epidemic that is growing and that is increasingly expanding due to non-compliant lifestyle.
We need to help promote strategies for physical activity and healthy eating to improve our health. Preventive education is very important. We need to educate our children and the whole family about a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of mortality and chronic diseases.
Comments
Post a Comment