Dodger
Mon, Oct-10-05, 10:40
http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/113/110668.htm
More Americans Should Join the Trend, CDC Says
By Miranda Hitti (http://my.webmd.com/content/Biography/8/101415.htm)
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD (http://my.webmd.com/content/Biography/8/109805.htm)
Oct. 6, 2005 -- More Americans report that they are physically active in their free time than 10 years ago, but many are still too idle, says the CDC.
For years, the CDC has been tracking how many American adults are physically inactive. Nearly one in four people fell into that category last year, according to a new CDC report.
That's the best result in a decade, and the trend is headed in the right direction. But there's still room for improvement, says the CDC.
Government's Goal
The U.S. government wants at least 80% of the country to be physically active by the year 2010. So, expect to hear more of the get-off-the-couch message in years to come.
The CDC recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) on most, and preferably all days of the week.
Being physically active helps hearts, bones, and waistlines. It can also boost mood and ease stress.
The report appears in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Then and Now
The CDC dug through a decade of large national surveys, each of which was done by telephone and included at least 100,000 adults.
The key question: "During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercise, such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?"
Approximately 30% of participants said "no" to that question in 1994. That number dwindled every year, dropping to about 24% in 2004.
About one in five men reported being physically inactive during their 2004 leisure time. So did 26% of the women surveyed.
"Leisure-time physical inactivity is declining in every age group and among both men and women," states the CDC. The CDC wants to see that trend pick up its pace, stretching into every segment of society, especially American elders.
Active Elders
It's never too late to reap the rewards of being active, says the CDC.
"Although the trends indicate improvement, more than 30% of older adults aged 70 and older are inactive," states the CDC's report. For both men and women in this study, those aged 70 and older had the highest numbers of self-reported inactivity in 2004.
"Because inactive older adults are at increased risk for disability, loss of muscle mass, flexibility, and balance and suffer more serious consequences from falling, public health messages should continue to focus on older adults to heighten awareness of physical activity opportunities," the report continues.
Of course, senior citizens aren't the only ones sitting on the sidelines. The goal is to get the whole country moving, making leisure time more lively for everyone, says the CDC.
SOURCES: CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Oct. 7, 2005; vol 54: pp 991-994. News release, CDC.
More Americans Should Join the Trend, CDC Says
By Miranda Hitti (http://my.webmd.com/content/Biography/8/101415.htm)
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD (http://my.webmd.com/content/Biography/8/109805.htm)
Oct. 6, 2005 -- More Americans report that they are physically active in their free time than 10 years ago, but many are still too idle, says the CDC.
For years, the CDC has been tracking how many American adults are physically inactive. Nearly one in four people fell into that category last year, according to a new CDC report.
That's the best result in a decade, and the trend is headed in the right direction. But there's still room for improvement, says the CDC.
Government's Goal
The U.S. government wants at least 80% of the country to be physically active by the year 2010. So, expect to hear more of the get-off-the-couch message in years to come.
The CDC recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) on most, and preferably all days of the week.
Being physically active helps hearts, bones, and waistlines. It can also boost mood and ease stress.
The report appears in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Then and Now
The CDC dug through a decade of large national surveys, each of which was done by telephone and included at least 100,000 adults.
The key question: "During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercise, such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?"
Approximately 30% of participants said "no" to that question in 1994. That number dwindled every year, dropping to about 24% in 2004.
About one in five men reported being physically inactive during their 2004 leisure time. So did 26% of the women surveyed.
"Leisure-time physical inactivity is declining in every age group and among both men and women," states the CDC. The CDC wants to see that trend pick up its pace, stretching into every segment of society, especially American elders.
Active Elders
It's never too late to reap the rewards of being active, says the CDC.
"Although the trends indicate improvement, more than 30% of older adults aged 70 and older are inactive," states the CDC's report. For both men and women in this study, those aged 70 and older had the highest numbers of self-reported inactivity in 2004.
"Because inactive older adults are at increased risk for disability, loss of muscle mass, flexibility, and balance and suffer more serious consequences from falling, public health messages should continue to focus on older adults to heighten awareness of physical activity opportunities," the report continues.
Of course, senior citizens aren't the only ones sitting on the sidelines. The goal is to get the whole country moving, making leisure time more lively for everyone, says the CDC.
SOURCES: CDC, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Oct. 7, 2005; vol 54: pp 991-994. News release, CDC.