Exercise recommendations
Physical inactivity is a primary contributor to a range of diseases.
There is strong evidence that an inactive lifestyle has a substantial, negative impact on health - particularly that a lack of physical activity can be a primary contributor to a range of diseases such as cardiovasular disease, stroke, type II diabetes and some cancers.
Physical activity has been found to help prevent the onset of disease and has therapeutic potential to reduce the burden of chronic disease in people at all stages of life, and in people of both genders and of differing socio-economic circumstances.
Level and strength of evidence for a relationship between physical activity and some chronic conditions is outlined below.
Source: Adapted from the Department of Health Report (2004) At least five a week: Evidence of the impact of physical activity and its relationship to health.
* Includes the effect of activity on disease as well as weight status
The estimated costs (NHS and economy costs, such as absence from work) of physical inactivity in England are £8.2 billion annually, which does not include the contribution of inactivity to obesity, which in itself has been estimated at £2.5 billion annually.
Research has indicated that being physically fit and overweight has greater protective measures then being unfit and overweight, suggesting that physical activity is important in promoting a healthy life.
The current physical activity recommendation for adults for optimum health in the UK is a minimum of 30 minutes moderate activity 5 days a week. Clearly the more activity we can incorporate into our lifestyle the better.
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