There are many health benefits of physical activity, including the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, its positive effects on blood pressure and blood lipids, control of one’s appetite, and an increase in the energy spent on basal metabolism. It has also been proven to help maintain a healthy body weight, reducing the rates of obesity. Physical activity may be beneficial even if factors like genetics are present, and can sometimes be more effective for one’s health than body size, rendering it an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. For example, if food intake is minimal, one may still be prone to obesity due to a lack of exercise. As many studies show, obesity rates, often associated with the increase of physical inactivity, seem to
…show more content…
Obesity among children appears to be caused by several factors, such as the lack of physical activity both in school and at home, which Luepker claims is the result of the inability of children to be as active as they used to be due to their excess weight (Luepker,1999, p.S14). A study was done asking parents questions pertaining to the activities done by their children and how often the children sat in front of the TV to provide reasons for obesity among children. This study showed that watching TV for more than 3 hours per day was a risk factor for obesity, supported by the analysis from Gortmaker et al., that more than 60% of overweight incidents can be correlated with too much TV time. It also demonstrated that those who joined sports games were less likely to be obese, and that between the years of 1990 and 1998, less students exercised two or more times a week outside of school, while those watching TV and playing video games have increased (Tremblay & Willms, 2003). Another observation showed that schools appeared to be reducing physical education classes for students and were allowing unqualified teachers to teach the class instead, thereby decreasing physical activities in school (Luepker, 1999, p.S13). Consequently, …show more content…
Studies show that more than half of US adults achieve the daily activity recommendations of 30 minutes of moderate levels, while it is also found that less than a quarter of adults have no leisure time activity (Spees, Scott, & Taylor, 2012, p.57). Many individuals were interviewed as part of a study and were asked questions including which activities they performed during their free time. This study showed that 23.8% of those with less physical activity during their leisure time as well as less occupational activity were more obese than 13.6% of those with insignificant leisure time physical activity and high occupational activity. However, it showed that if physical activity during leisure time was performed, whether it was a regular activity or not, despite a low occupational activity the likelihood of obesity may still be significantly reduced (King, et al., 2001). This proves that as long as one engages in physical activity either at work or during free time, they can lower their risk of
Obesity among children appears to be caused by several factors, such as the lack of physical activity both in school and at home, which Luepker claims is the result of the inability of children to be as active as they used to be due to their excess weight (Luepker,1999, p.S14). A study was done asking parents questions pertaining to the activities done by their children and how often the children sat in front of the TV to provide reasons for obesity among children. This study showed that watching TV for more than 3 hours per day was a risk factor for obesity, supported by the analysis from Gortmaker et al., that more than 60% of overweight incidents can be correlated with too much TV time. It also demonstrated that those who joined sports games were less likely to be obese, and that between the years of 1990 and 1998, less students exercised two or more times a week outside of school, while those watching TV and playing video games have increased (Tremblay & Willms, 2003). Another observation showed that schools appeared to be reducing physical education classes for students and were allowing unqualified teachers to teach the class instead, thereby decreasing physical activities in school (Luepker, 1999, p.S13). Consequently, …show more content…
Studies show that more than half of US adults achieve the daily activity recommendations of 30 minutes of moderate levels, while it is also found that less than a quarter of adults have no leisure time activity (Spees, Scott, & Taylor, 2012, p.57). Many individuals were interviewed as part of a study and were asked questions including which activities they performed during their free time. This study showed that 23.8% of those with less physical activity during their leisure time as well as less occupational activity were more obese than 13.6% of those with insignificant leisure time physical activity and high occupational activity. However, it showed that if physical activity during leisure time was performed, whether it was a regular activity or not, despite a low occupational activity the likelihood of obesity may still be significantly reduced (King, et al., 2001). This proves that as long as one engages in physical activity either at work or during free time, they can lower their risk of