Sedentarism and smoking: two serious health threats from an alarming perspective
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Physical inactivity is a problem that is increasingly worrying the medical and scientific community. According to a study conducted by the Pennington Center for Biomedical Research and the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina in the United States, a sedentary lifestyle can be as harmful to your health as smoking.
The study points out that time spent on sedentary behavior is directly related to mortality rates. Furthermore, physical inactivity is associated with several health problems, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, age-related frailty and cancer.
According to global estimates, 9.4% of all 57 million deaths that occurred in 2008 worldwide can be attributed to physical inactivity, which accounts for more than 5 million deaths. This demonstrates that lack of physical activity is a public health problem that needs to be addressed urgently.
A serious public health problem
Nutritionist Ronan Araújo comments that a sedentary lifestyle is a serious public health problem in the country. It is estimated that more than half of the Brazilian population does not get enough physical activity to maintain good health. Factors such as urbanization, technological advances and the current routine of Brazilians increasingly contribute to a sedentary lifestyle.
Studies indicate that to prevent these problems, it is recommended that people get at least 250 minutes of medium- to high-intensity exercise, combining strength training and cardiorespiratory activity. It is important to remember that these guidelines not only suggest the practice of physical exercises, but also the reduction of sedentary time and the improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness.
“A body that doesn’t move is a body that doesn’t get all the benefits of proper cardiovascular conditioning. Furthermore, lack of physical activity can cause a number of problems, such as lesions on the surface of blood vessels, which can be greater in sedentary patients,” explains Ronan Araujo.
The benefits of physical activity
Therefore, it is essential that people become aware of the importance of physical activity for health and adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle. Not only does exercise help prevent disease, but it can also improve quality of life and increase longevity.
Some benefits of physical activity include:
- • Improved cardiovascular and respiratory conditioning;
- • Lowering of blood pressure;
- • Control of body weight and body fat;
- • Increased muscle strength and flexibility;
- • Improvement of posture and motor coordination;
- • Reduction of stress and anxiety;
- • Improved mood and self-esteem;
- • Increased disposition and energy;
- • Better sleep quality;
- • Prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer.
The practice must be regular
It is important to remember that physical activity should be practiced regularly and in moderation, respecting the limits of the body and the guidance of a health professional. Furthermore, it is essential to adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle, including correct eating habits and reducing sedentary time.
“Exercise is not only a way to keep the body in shape, but also to keep the mind healthy and balanced. It is essential to adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle, which includes physical activity and adequate eating habits, to ensure a healthier life . long and healthy”, concludes Ronan Araújo.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
