Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) welcomed the new set of guidelines on physical activity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Included in the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans is specific acknowledgment that regular activity lowers risk for colon, breast and other cancers. “It’s clearer than ever that regular physical activity plays a central role in cancer prevention, and we at AICR are pleased to see the U.S. government officially recognize this fact in such a high-profile manner,” said AICR Director of Research Susan Higginbotham, Ph.D., R.D.
Archive for category Physical Activity
Regarding nutrient timing and the intake of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in reference to healthy, exercising individuals is summarized in eight points relevant for very active athletes.
To support International Walk to School Month, Environmental Protection UK have launched their brand new interactive online Travel Buster today – a colourful cartoon calculator aimed at encouraging 7 – 11 year olds that walking, or cycling, to school is healthier for them and their local environment.
Since Monday, US schools have been participating in the annual Walk to School Week, which encourages children and their parents to walk or bike to school. Supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the initiative seeks to engage children in simple physical activities that can help reduce obesity and stave off obesity-related illnesses. According to the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools Web site, more than 2,756 schools across all 50 states participated in Walk to School Day in 2007.
Pick an activity that’s easy for you to fit into your life, says Michael O. Leavitt, secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, which released the new guidelines. “You just need to get moving.”
Adults should aim to get in 2 1/2 hours of exercise a week and children should run and play for at least an hour a day, according to new US exercise guidelines issued by the U.S. government on Tuesday.
Researchers at Temple University have systematically looked at what stops obese women from getting the activity they need. 278 women were enrolled in a yearlong physical activity encouragement study. Questionnaire were used to determine what factors kept them from getting exercise, including: Feeling self-conscious; Not wanting to fail; Fearing injury; Perceived poor health Having minor aches or pains Feeling too overweight to exercise.
New research reveals strong link between music and cardiovascular exercise performance.
Classification of pre-school children as physically active or not, based on a small set of questions, revealed significant associations with overweight/obesity and a motor test. Once further validated, this classification might provide a valuable tool to assess the impact of physical activity on the risk of childhood overweight and obesity.
To mark the beginning of International Walk to School month [1 – 31 October 2008], BMA Scotland has today (Wednesday 1 October) published a briefing paper highlighting the health and social benefits of encouraging children to have an active lifestyle. To get Scotland moving, the Scottish Government should: 1) Develop an effective strategy to encourage teenagers and young adults to take part in regular exercise 2) Encourage doctors to prescribe exercise for the overweight/obese (e.g. reduced cost/free access to local authority sports centres) 3) Improve access to subsidised sporting facilities for both children and parents. Easy access for those from lower socio-economic groups is particularly important 4) Take assertive action to improve communities and make them clean, safe and healthy for our children.