Physical activity is one of the most important components of a healthy lifestyle. Being fit leads to better sleep, weight control, disease prevention, improved mood, more energy, and it even puts a spark in your sex life. Since obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes are becoming significant public health problems, increasing our collective physical fitness levels has become a national priority.
Here's a look at fitness by the numbers:
- 60: Minutes of physical activity per day that school-age children should accumulate.
- 18.5 to 24.9: Healthy range for BMI (Body Mass Index).
- 17,000: Number of health clubs in the U.S.
- 49: Percent of adults who met the 2008 federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity (January to September 2011).
- 150: Recommended number of minutes of weekly physical activity for adults.
- 8 to 12: Repetitions per session of strengthening exercises.
- 14th: Zumba's position on the top 20 fitness trends of 2012.
- #1: Ranking for Minneapolis, MN, in the 2011 ACSM Fitness Index, which ranks the 50 largest metropolitan Areas (Oklahoma City, OK, was #50).
- Two-thirds: Percent of Americans who are overweight or obese.
- 29.8 Billion: Amount saved over five years by reducing obesity by 5 percent.
- 10 to 20: Percent reduction in heart attack risk from regular physical activity.
Sources:
National Association for Sport and Physical Education. "National Guidelines for Physical Activity." Web.
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards/nationalGuidelines/PAguidelines.cfm
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: Frequently Asked Questions." Web. 21 November 2008. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/faqs.aspx#Question3
The President's Challenge. "Get Motivated: Strengthening Muscles & Bones." Web.
https://www.presidentschallenge.org/motivated/strengthening.shtml
Mayo Clinic. "Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity." Web. 23 July 2011. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676
Laskowski, Edward R., M.D. "What's a Normal Resting Heart Rate?" Mayo Clinic. Web.
30 September 2010. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-rate/AN01906
Centers for Disease Control. "Leisure-time Physical Activity." Web. March 2012. http://www.americanfitnessindex.org/docs/reports/2011_afi_report_final.pdf
American College of Sports Medicine. "Selecting and Effectively Using A
Health/Fitness Facility. Web. 2011. http://www.acsm.org/docs/brochures/selecting-and-effectively-using-a-health-fitness-facility.pdf
American College of Sports Medicine. "ACSM American Fitness Index 2011." Web.
http://www.americanfitnessindex.org/docs/reports/2011_afi_report_final.pdf
Trust for America's Health. "Bending the Obesity Cost Curve." Web. February 2012.
http://healthyamericans.org/report/93/
Shipe, Michael, M.S., RCEP. "Exercising with Coronary Heart Disease." ACSM. Web. 19 January 2012. http://www.acsm.org/access-public-information/articles/2012/01/19/exercising-with-coronary-heart-disease
