24/08/2017
Public health England have today released a report outlining the alarming decline in exercise levels in the 40-60 years of age bracket. Health and fitness is not about being a men's health front cover model or some z-list airbrushed female celebrity. Nor is it about being a top level athlete although they are often good sources of inspiration. Health and fitness, for me, is about physical and mental wellbeing and it can easily be achieved with regular, structured moderate exercise. This can be as little as 20-30 minutes per day of moderate exercise or 10-12 minutes per day of vigorous exercise. Everyone can achieve this with self determination or with encouragement and advice from professional trainers if needed. It's so important to make the right choices now.
Below are a few points to illustrate a few other alarming physical inactivity records from public health England and a few of the millions of figures to highlight the benefits of getting a regular amount of exercise.
•33% of men and 45% of women are not active enough for good health
•19% of men and 26% of women are classed as inactive.
•only 8% of 13-15 year old girls are doing the recommended amount of physical activity per day.
Regular exercise REDUCES your risk of;
•all cause mortality by 30%
•cardiovascular disease by 35%
•type 2 diabetes by 40%
•colon cancer by 30%
•breast cancer by 20%
•hip fractures by 68%
•depression by 30%
•dementia by 30%
(figures from Dept of health)
Health officials warn falling activity rates as people age are putting their health at risk.
