Exercise - 10/7/08

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Releases Exercise Guidelines
October 7th, 2008

New guidelines have been released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pertaining to the amount of exercise that is needed to maintain good health.

For those who have never exercised, even the smallest amount of daily exercise, will prompt a significant body response in a very short period of time, a fact that should encourage those less active to increase their activity level and significantly improve their health. 

For children and teens, the guideline recommendations are much tougher than they are for older adults.  The undeniable link between exercise and improved health has lead the Department of Healht and Human Services to raise the bar when it comes to daily exercise for all age groups.

For sluggish or inactive adults, moderate exercise, defined as a walk around the block or evening stroll is recommended, but for the more active adult, jogging, a bike ride or an hour swimming in a pool is recommended.

According to the report, children and teens, need the most exercise, upwards of one hour each day to maintain good health.  

“The easy message is get active, whatever your way is. Get active your way,” HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt told The Associated Press.

America is the fattest nation in the world, and unless people decide to change this fact as a whole, the country will simply continue to get heavier and heavier and subsequently become more and more prone to chronic debilitating diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascualr disease, cancers, and neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Dr. Prado and Dr. Baker recommend you get started by purchasing and using a pedometer to count your daily steps.  A good goal is 10,000 steps per day.  Most people have no idea how little exercise they really get.  A pedometer will show you where you are now and how far you need to go to benefit from the easiest and most enjoyable form of exercise -- walking!

Click here to read the complete guidelines at the US Dept. of H.& H.S. web site.: http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/physicalactivityguidelines.html

James T. Prado, D.C. ~ Brian J. Baker, D.C.
Southbury Connecticut ~ (203) 264-3583 ~ Contact Us