by Pennie Sempell
We all know that children model the adults around them, and form habits that last a lifetime during childhood. Much of the world’s population has become inactive. Worldwide, about a third of adults are not doing enough physical activity. Cars make it too easy to avoid walking the half-mile to the market and back. Desk jobs, and the lure of computers and electronic gadgets, keep kids and adults glued to the chair. Sedentary ways are now being linked as the cause of more than 5 million deaths per year.
Physical inactivity has a major health effect worldwide. The prestigious medical journal ‘Lancet’ reports that “Strong evidence shows that physical inactivity increases the risk of many adverse health conditions, including major non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers and shortens life expectancy.”
There’s a wonderful benefit in living in cities like San Francisco and New York where parking is a nightmare – people are out on the streets walking to their destinations. Just walking keeps us trimmer and fitter. Where walking is not feasible, or perhaps not safe, look to the YMCA, your local rec centers, family membership at gyms, and public parks as ways to get up and get moving, and have fun while you are at it.
So how much physical activity is recommended to turn this pandemic around? Whether it is cleaning your house, gardening, a brisk walk, or the gym, about 150 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended for adults. That’s only 2.5 hours a week, or 30 minutes most days a week.
There are a lot of things we can’t control, but most of us can make choices around how we spend 30 minutes a day, and that choice can be getting active. We are setting an excellent example for our children by changing our habits and finding simple ways to be active.
To read more about the Lancet, here is your link: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)61031-9/abstract
Author of 'Healthier Happier Life Skills' series for home and classroom and the multi-award winning 'Best of Broadway and Beyond: Health Series', Pennie Sempell helps children and parents with tools for reducing stress, calming down, improving communication, developing good character, and much more. The new HealthRaiser is an easy fundraiser for parent/teacher and nonprofit groups. Check it out today. www.HealthierHappierLife.com
We all know that children model the adults around them, and form habits that last a lifetime during childhood. Much of the world’s population has become inactive. Worldwide, about a third of adults are not doing enough physical activity. Cars make it too easy to avoid walking the half-mile to the market and back. Desk jobs, and the lure of computers and electronic gadgets, keep kids and adults glued to the chair. Sedentary ways are now being linked as the cause of more than 5 million deaths per year.
Physical inactivity has a major health effect worldwide. The prestigious medical journal ‘Lancet’ reports that “Strong evidence shows that physical inactivity increases the risk of many adverse health conditions, including major non-communicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers and shortens life expectancy.”
There’s a wonderful benefit in living in cities like San Francisco and New York where parking is a nightmare – people are out on the streets walking to their destinations. Just walking keeps us trimmer and fitter. Where walking is not feasible, or perhaps not safe, look to the YMCA, your local rec centers, family membership at gyms, and public parks as ways to get up and get moving, and have fun while you are at it.
So how much physical activity is recommended to turn this pandemic around? Whether it is cleaning your house, gardening, a brisk walk, or the gym, about 150 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended for adults. That’s only 2.5 hours a week, or 30 minutes most days a week.
There are a lot of things we can’t control, but most of us can make choices around how we spend 30 minutes a day, and that choice can be getting active. We are setting an excellent example for our children by changing our habits and finding simple ways to be active.
To read more about the Lancet, here is your link: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)61031-9/abstract
Author of 'Healthier Happier Life Skills' series for home and classroom and the multi-award winning 'Best of Broadway and Beyond: Health Series', Pennie Sempell helps children and parents with tools for reducing stress, calming down, improving communication, developing good character, and much more. The new HealthRaiser is an easy fundraiser for parent/teacher and nonprofit groups. Check it out today. www.HealthierHappierLife.com
