“Exercise Is Medicine”

Why Does Fitness Matter?

According to the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association, there are “seven approaches to staying heart healthy: be active, keep a healthy weight, learn about cholesterol, do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco, eat a heart-healthy diet, keep blood pressure healthy, and learn about blood sugar and diabetes.”

With regards to physical activity specifically, the American Heart Association in conjunction with the National Institute on Health found that “An umbrella review of 24 systematic reviews of adults ≥60 years of age concluded that those who are physically active are at a reduced risk of CVD [cardiovascular disease] mortality (25%–40% risk reduction), all-cause mortality (22%–35%), breast cancer (12%–17%), prostate cancer (9%–10%), and depression (17%–31%) while experiencing better quality of life, healthier aging trajectories, and improved cognitive functioning.”

The American Heart Association reports that “heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the U.S”.

These staggering statistics are some of the reasons why fitness matters. The benefits of physical activity are quite impressive [Ref. Personal Nutrition. “Nutrition For Fueling Fitness & Sport”. Marie Boyle]:

  • More energy

  • Less stress and anxiety

  • Improved circulation and lung function

  • Improved sleep

  • Increased quality of life

  • Lowered risk of heart disease

  • Lowered risk of diabetes

  • Lowered risk of high blood pressure

  • Easier weight control

  • Increased self-confidence

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that the health benefits occur with 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity physical activity per week. Over the course of 5 days, that’s 30 min per day! If you are just starting to embark on your physical activity and have any risk factors (sedentary lifestyle, family history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity BMI greater than or equal to 30, or diabetes), please consult your doctor first before beginning a fitness plan.

Nutrition and Fitness

Nutrition and Fitness combined help to create optimal health. Healthy People 2030 Nutrition and Physical Activity Related Objectives for the Nation has a focus on both (and other factors). Here a just a few:

  • Reduce the proportion of adults who do not do physical activity in their free time

  • Increase the proportion of adults who do enough muscle strengthening activity

  • Increase the proportion of adults who do enough aerobic physical activity for substantial health benefit.

  • Increase vegetable consumption of people age 2 and above

  • Increase fruit consumption of people age 2 and above and increase whole grain consumption of people 2 and above.