Originally published October 11 2005
CDC reports on American exercise trends
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC revealed statistics that one in four Americans is physically inactive, and the government has responded with the goal that 80 percent of Americans will be physically active by 2010.
More Americans report that they are physically active in their free time than 10 years ago, but many are still too idle, says the CDC.
For years, the CDC has been tracking how many American adults are physically inactive.
Nearly one in four people fell into that category last year, according to a new CDC report.
That's the best result in a decade, and the trend is headed in the right direction.
The CDC recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) on most, and preferably all days of the week.
The CDC dug through a decade of large national surveys, each of which was done by telephone and included at least 100,000 adults.
The key question: "During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercise, such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?"
"Leisure-time physical inactivity is declining in every age group and among both men and women," states the CDC.
The CDC wants to see that trend pick up its pace, stretching into every segment of society, especially American elders.
It's never too late to reap the rewards of being active, says the CDC.
For both men and women in this study, those aged 70 and older had the highest numbers of self-reported inactivity in 2004.
"Because inactive older adults are at increased risk for disability, loss of muscle mass, flexibility, and balance and suffer more serious consequences from falling, public health messages should continue to focus on older adults to heighten awareness of physical activity opportunities," the report continues.
The goal is to get the whole country moving, making leisure time more lively for everyone, says the CDC.
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