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Americans sit too much during day

Cleburne Times-Review - 11/26/2018

Nov. 25--Thanksgiving is over, but the holidays are just beginning with Christmas just around the corner and some families spending time together around the dinner table.

About half of Americans sit for too many hours a day and don't receive any exercise at all, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A survey of about 5,900 adults found that nearly 26 percent sit for more than eight hours a day 45 percent don't get any moderate or vigorous exercise during the week and about 11 percent sit more than eight hours a day and are not physically active, according to Health Day.

"Being sedentary increases the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and dying early," said lead author Emily Ussery, who's an epidemiologist for the CDC's National Centers for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Ussery said that sitting may not be bad in itself, but is a proxy for not getting enough exercise.

According to the second edition of the US. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, any form of physical activity can have huge benefits to someone's health.

"Physical activity fosters normal growth and development and can make people feel better, function better, sleep better and reduce the risk of a large number of chronic diseases," according to the study. "Research shows that just about everyone gains benefits: men and women of all races and ethnicities, young children to older adults, women who are pregnant or postpartum -- first year after delivery -- people living with a chronic condition or a disability and people who want to reduce their risk of chronic disease.

"The evidence about the health benefits of regular physical activity is well established, and research continues to provide insight into what works to get people moving, both at the individual and community level."

The guidelines are issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and goes along with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a joint effort between the HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to the study.

"The main idea is that regular physical activity over months and years can produce long-term health benefits," according to the study.

CDC officials give the following tips to encourage residents to practice safe physical activities:

--Understand the risks, yet be confident that physical activity can be safe for almost everyone.

--Choose types of physical activity that are appropriate for their current fitness level and health goals because some activities are safer than others.

--Increase physical activity gradually over time to meet key guidelines or health goals. Inactive people should "start low and go slow" by starting with lower intensity activities and gradually increasing how often and how long activities are done.

--Protect yourself by using appropriate gear and sports equipment, choosing safe environments, following their rules and policies and making sensible choices about when, where and how to be active.

--Be under the care of a health care providers if you have chronic disorders or symptoms. People with chronic conditions and symptoms can consult a health care professional or physical activity specialist about the types and amounts of activity appropriate for them.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.

Information in this report came from Health Day and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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(c)2018 the Cleburne Times-Review (Cleburne, Texas)

Visit the Cleburne Times-Review (Cleburne, Texas) at www.cleburnetimesreview.com

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