Exercise trends

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Increases in sedentary behaviors such as overuse of electronics may lead to a decrease of physical activity. Computadoras y Obesidad.jpg
Increases in sedentary behaviors such as overuse of electronics may lead to a decrease of physical activity.

Worldwide there has been a large shift towards less physically demanding work and a more sedentary lifestyle. [1] This has been accompanied by increasing use of mechanized transportation, automobile dependency, a greater prevalence of labor saving technology in the home, and less active recreational pursuits. [1] At least 31% of the world's population does not get sufficient physical exercise. [2] This is true in almost all developed and developing countries, [2] and among children. [3] [4] Some experts refer to sitting as "the new smoking" because of its negative effects on overall health. [5]

Contents

These exercise trends are contributing to the rising rates of chronic long-lasting diseases such as: obesity, heart disease, stroke, preventable causes of death, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. [6] Active transport (walking, bicycling, etc.) has been found to be inversely related to obesity in Europe, North America, and Australia. [7] Thus exercise has been associated with a decrease in mortality. [6]

Causes of lack of exercise

United Kingdom transport modal share from 1952 to 2014, Department for Transport UK transport modal share from 1952-2014.png
United Kingdom transport modal share from 1952 to 2014, Department for Transport

One of the causes most prevalent in the developing world is urbanization. As more of the population moves to cities, population over-crowding, increased poverty, increased levels of crime, high-volumes of car traffic, low air quality and lack of parks, sidewalks and recreational sports facilities leads to a less active lifestyle. [2]

Physical inactivity is increasing or high among many groups in the population including: young people, [8] women, [9] and the elderly. [10]

A 2005 population study in south Brazil showed physical inactivity during leisure time to be more prevalent among females and those living with a partner; with a positive correlation associated with age and number of cigarettes smoked, and a negative correlation (decreased levels of physical inactivity) associated with years of formal education, body mass index, and increasing socioeconomic status. [11]

Studies in children and adults have found an association between the number of hours of television watched and the prevalence of obesity. [12] [13] [14] A 2008 meta analysis found that 63 of 73 studies (86%) showed an increased rate of childhood obesity with increased media exposure, and rates increasing proportionally to time spent watching television. [15]

Another cause in the case of children is that physical activity in activities from self-propelled student transport, physical education, and organized sports is declining in many countries. [3]

Symptoms

Noncommunicable diseases, partly due to a lack of exercise, are currently the greatest public health problem in most countries around the world. [2] Each year at least 1.9 million people die as a result of physical inactivity, [16] which makes inactivity one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. [17]

Countries

Australia

Australian children between 1961 and 2002 have had a marked decline in their aerobic fitness. [18]

Canada

Obese people are less active than their normal weight counterparts. In Canada, 27.0% of sedentary men are obese as opposed to 19.6% of active men. [19] Lean people are more fidgety than their obese counterparts; this relationship is maintained even if normal weight people eat more or the obese person loses weight. [20]

National data indicates that only 10% of Canadian youth are meeting the guideline for screen time of less than 2 hours per day. As well, although 2/3 of families live close enough for their children to bike or walk to school, only 1/3 report actually walking to school and 80% report never having cycled to school. [ citation needed ]

Asia and China

A study from China found urbanization reduced daily energy expenditure by about 300–400 kcal and going to work by car or bus reduced it by a further 200 kcal. [21] Rapid urbanization and modernization in China, particularly between 1991 and 2006, have been correlated with increasing sedentary activity and lifestyles, leading to a significant decline in physical activity levels. [22]

A rapid decline in physical activity has occurred between the 1980s and the 2000s. The decline in physical activity is attributed to increasing technology in the workplace and changing leisure activities. [23] In 1989 65% of Chinese had jobs that required heavy labor. This decreased to 51% in the year 2000. [23]

Among Asian children between 1917 and 2003 little change has been seen in power and speed however endurance has decreased substantially in the last 10–15 years. [24]

Finland

In Finland leisure-time physical activity has increased, while occupational and commuting physical activity has decreased from 1972 to 2002. [25] Leisure-time physical activity increased from 66% (1972) to 77% (2002) in men and from 49% (1972)to 76% (2002) in women. Physically demanding work decreased from 60% (1972) to 38% (2002) in men and from 47% (1972) to 25% (2002) in women. Daily commuting activity decreased from 30% (1972) to 10% (2002) in men and from 34% (1972) to 22% (2002) in women. [25]

Netherlands

As of 2007, walking and cycling as a means of transport in the Netherlands has been stable since 1994. The average Dutch citizen in the year 2007 walked 240 km (150 mi) and cycled 908 km (564 mi) per year. [26]

Personal training is gaining more and more popularity in the Netherlands in the last 15 years. A personal trainer is a trainer certified to have a varying degree of knowledge of general fitness involved in exercise prescription and instruction. They motivate clients by setting goals and providing feedback to clients.

Obstacle training centrums are very popular. An obstacle course is a series of challenging physical obstacles an individual or a team need to complete while being timed. Obstacle courses can include running, climbing, jumping, crawling, swimming, and balancing elements with the aim of testing speed and endurance. Sometimes a course involves mental tests.

South America

Over 60% of the population of Brazil, Chile, and Peru do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity needed to maintain health. [27] A study of a southern Brazilian population found that >80% of the population was physically inactive. [11]

Sweden

A study of Swedish males found a significant decrease in total physical exercise even though recreational exercise has increased. This was due to a decrease in work place exercise and physical exercise in transportation. [28]

United States

Graph showing the trend in the proportion of the U.S. population which reported no leisure-time physical activity, 1988 - 2007 Leisure inactivity 2007.jpg
Graph showing the trend in the proportion of the U.S. population which reported no leisure-time physical activity, 1988 - 2007

Americans have become less physically active overall between 1955 and 2005. [30] While the rate of leisure-time physical activity has not changed significantly there has been a decrease in work-related activity, human powered transportation, activity in the home, and increasing sedentary lifestyle. [30] During 2000 and 2005, the number of adults who were never physically active increased from 9.4% to 10.3% while the number who were engaged in the highest level of physical activity decreased from 18.7% to 16.7%. Pertaining to leisure-time physical activity, people involved in no activity increased from 38.5% to 40.0% while those who spent most of their day sitting increased from 36.8% to 39.9%. [6]

In 2000, the CDC estimated that more than 40% of the US population was sedentary, another 30% was active but not sufficiently and less than 30% had an adequate level of physical activity. [31] There has been a trend toward decreased physical activity in part due to increasingly mechanized forms of work, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanization. Obesity rates have increased in relation to expanding suburbs. This has been attributed to increased time spent commuting, leading to less exercise and less meal preparation at home. [32] In the time between 1983 and 1990 the number of trips taken by foot decreased from 9% down to 7%. [33] Driving one's children to school has become increasingly popular. In the USA the proportion of children who walk or bike to school declined between 1969 (42%) and 2001 (16%) resulting in less exercise. [31]

UK

In England, both walking and cycling have declined since 1975 being replaced by motorized transport. [34] The average British citizen in the year 2005 walked 317 km (197 mi) per year, [35] a fall of 106 km (66 mi) since 1975. [34] [36]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity</span> Medical condition in which excess body fat harms health

Obesity is a medical condition, sometimes considered a disease, in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that it can potentially have negative effects on health. People are classified as obese when their body mass index (BMI)—a person's weight divided by the square of the person's height—is over 30 kg/m2; the range 25–30 kg/m2 is defined as overweight. Some East Asian countries use lower values to calculate obesity. Obesity is a major cause of disability and is correlated with various diseases and conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exercise</span> Physical activity that improves health

Exercise is physical activity that enhances or maintains fitness and overall health. It is performed for various reasons, including weight loss or maintenance, to aid growth and improve strength, develop muscles and the cardiovascular system, hone athletic skills, improve health, or simply for enjoyment. Many individuals choose to exercise outdoors where they can congregate in groups, socialize, and improve well-being as well as mental health.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical fitness</span> State of health and well-being

Physical fitness is a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations, and daily activities. Physical fitness is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate-vigorous physical exercise, and sufficient rest along with a formal recovery plan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diseases of affluence</span> Health conditions thought to be a result of increasing wealth in society

Diseases of affluence, previously called diseases of rich people, is a term sometimes given to selected diseases and other health conditions which are commonly thought to be a result of increasing wealth in a society. Also referred to as the "Western disease" paradigm, these diseases are in contrast to "diseases of poverty", which largely result from and contribute to human impoverishment. These diseases of affluence have vastly increased in prevalence since the end of World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High-intensity interval training</span> Exercise strategy

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a training protocol alternating short periods of intense or explosive anaerobic exercise with brief recovery periods until the point of exhaustion. HIIT involves exercises performed in repeated quick bursts at maximum or near maximal effort with periods of rest or low activity between bouts. The very high level of intensity, the interval duration, and number of bouts distinguish it from aerobic (cardiovascular) activity, because the body significantly recruits anaerobic energy systems. The method thereby relies on "the anaerobic energy releasing system almost maximally".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sedentary lifestyle</span> Type of lifestyle involving little or no physical activity

Sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle type, in which one is physically inactive and does little or no physical movement and/or exercise. A person living a sedentary lifestyle is often sitting or lying down while engaged in an activity like socializing, watching TV, playing video games, reading or using a mobile phone or computer for much of the day. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to poor health quality, diseases as well as many preventable causes of death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical activity</span> Any voluntarily bodily motion produced by skeletal muscles and requires energy expenditure

Physical activity is defined as any voluntary bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity encompasses all activities, at any intensity, performed during any time of day or night. It includes both voluntary exercise and incidental activity integrated into the daily routine. This integrated activity may not be planned, structured, repetitive or purposeful for the improvement of physical fitness, and may include activities such as walking to the local shop, cleaning, working, active transport etc. Lack of physical activity is associated with a range of negative health outcomes, whereas increased physical activity can improve physical and mental health, as well as cognitive and cardiovascular health. There are at least eight investments that work to increase population-level physical activity, including whole-of-school programmes, active transport, active urban design, healthcare, public education and mass media, sport for all, workplaces and community-wide programmes. Physical activity increases energy expenditure and is a key regulator in controlling body weight. In human beings, differences among individuals in the amount of physical activity have a substantial genetic basis.

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Physical inactivity refers to the lack of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a person's lifestyle. It is distinct from sedentary behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lack of physical education</span> Inadequate provision and effectiveness of physical education in schools

Lack of physical education is the inadequacy of the provision and effectiveness of exercise and physical activity within modern education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity in the Middle East and North Africa</span>

Obesity in the Middle East and North Africa is a notable health issue. Out of the 15 fattest nations in the world as of 2014, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), five were located in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Workplace health promotion is the combined efforts of employers, employees, and society to improve the mental and physical health and well-being of people at work. The term workplace health promotion denotes a comprehensive analysis and design of human and organizational work levels with the strategic aim of developing and improving health resources in an enterprise. The World Health Organization has prioritized the workplace as a setting for health promotion because of the large potential audience and influence on all spheres of a person's life. The Luxembourg Declaration provides that health and well-being of employees at work can be achieved through a combination of:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Childhood obesity in Australia</span> Overview of childhood obesity in Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obesity in Indonesia</span> Overview of obesity in Indonesia

According to the World Health Organization (2015), the "worldwide population of overweight and obese adults increased between 1980 and 2013 from 30 percent to 38 percent in women, and 29 percent to 37 percent in men". The prevalence of obesity continues to rise in all age groups in this developing country.

The benefits of physical activity range widely. Most types of physical activity improve health and well-being.

References

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