Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle Through Preventative Measures: Healthy Weight, Exercise, Sleep

Introduction

Let's shift now to health maintenance beginning with weight management.

Take a look at the facts:

In 2012 about 78 million U.S. adults were obese (35%), calculated at approximately 35 pounds over a healthy weight. From CDC.gov

Physical activity, along with a healthy diet, contributes to achieving a healthy weight. Physical activity may help to control weight by using excess calories. The National Institutes of Health states "a lack of energy balance most often causes overweight and obesity". Simply put, energy taken IN through calories must be put OUT through activity.

Energy balance graphic. Same amount of energy In and energy out over time equals weight stays the same. More energy in than energy out over time equals weight gain. More energy out than energy in over time equals weight loss.

Comic from Women's World of two people exercising on treadmills. The person on left asks What's your favorite exercise? The person on right responds Sudoku.

Along with weight management, physical activity is important to physical and emotional well-being. Although energy is expended to maintain normal body function while sleeping, breathing, and digesting food, the calories expended through physical activity contribute to weight control.

The benefits of physical activity include:

Lower risk or management of chronic diseases discussed in the nutrition section
Build strong muscles, bones, and joints
Improve flexibility
Improve mood & emotional health decreasing the risk of depression

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION