Exercise….What’s in it For Me?
Although most of us are aware of many of the health benefits of exercise, lack of physical activity remains a major health problem. There are an estimated 200,000 deaths annually in the United States related to a sedentary lifestyle. Most of these deaths are secondary to heart disease, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, it has been shown that people who are physically fit simply tend to live longer. So why is it that only 15 percent of Americans perform the recommended amount of physical activity? Perhaps we need to explore some of the specific benefits of exercise from the obvious to the under rated.
Cardiovascular- Many studies have shown that those who exercise have a lower incidence of coronary disease and cardiac deaths. Long term aerobic exercise has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, and reduces the risk of stroke.
Diabetes control- Exercise can improve blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, and may prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
Cancer prevention and treatment- We believe exercise provides some protection against breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer. Physical activity also reduces the severity of pain, fatigue, muscle stiffness, and weakness, both during and following cancer treatment.
Obesity Management- Compared to diet alone, diet coupled with exercise is associated with a greater reduction in body fat and enhanced preservation of lean body mass. Prolonged exercise programs cause a greater decrease in abdominal fat than fat that rests lower on the body. This is important because people with abdominal obesity are at increased cardiovascular risk. It has been proven that those who exercise maintain their weight loss for several years whereas those who do not invariably re-gain their weight.
Smoking Cessation- Vigorous exercise facilitates smoking cessation in women when combined with a smoking cessation counseling program. It also improves exercise capacity and delays weight gain following smoking cessation.
Gallstones- Physical activity is associated with decreased risk of gall stone attacks.
Concerns of the elderly- Aerobic and resistance exercise preserves the ability to perform activities of daily living in the elderly, thus prolonging autonomy and improving functional status. One study showed that people over the age of 65 who exercised three or more times weekly had a significantly reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who didn’t.
Mental health- Regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Aerobic exercise, in particular, is believed to be as effective as antidepressant medication over the long term.
Musculoskeletal- Exercise helps to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It helps to prevent osteoporosis, and relieves the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
To receive maximum health benefits, the goal is to exercise for 30 minutes at least 5 days per week. Yard work, brisk walking, sports, and dancing all count towards this fitness goal. It is not necessary to join a gym or purchase expensive equipment to get healthy. The best type of exercise is one that you enjoy and can do consistently. It is important to check with your physician prior to starting any exercise program, especially if you are at risk for coronary heart disease. Once you are cleared for takeoff, get off the couch and get moving!
Dr. Everett is the Bariatrician at the Chester County Center for Medical Weight Loss. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, please call 610-467-0446. Dr. Linda G. Everett is pleased to announce the recent opening of The Center for Medical Weight Loss. As a practicing Internist, she sees the effects of obesity on a daily basis and decided to start taking a proactive approach to the epidemic. At The Center, she offers rapid, long-lasting weight loss even for the most difficult cases. Unlike commercial programs, Dr. Everett is able to use products and techniques only available to medical doctors. These include FDA approved prescription appetite suppressants, medically prescribed low calorie diets, and metabolic enhancing injections. Emphasis is also placed on behavior modification and exercise, which is the key to long term weight management. Dr. Everett conducts one on one counseling sessions with each patient at every visit and monitors all medical conditions that may be affected by rapid weight loss. Since insurance coverage for the treatment of obesity is variable, insurance is not accepted for care at The Center, but she does provide the necessary information so that eligible patients can submit their own claims for reimbursement. Dr. Everett received her undergraduate degree at Johns Hopkins University, and her Medical Degree at Jefferson Medical College. She also has a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Widener University. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE. Dr. Everett is board certified in Internal Medicine, and has received extensive additional training in bariatrics. She is a member of the American Society of Bariatric Medicine, and the American College of Physicians. The Center for Medical Weight Loss is located at 2217 Baltimore Pike, Oxford, PA. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 610-467-0446.
Leave your response!