Unhealthy Lifestyle is Everybody’s Business

Consider these  staggering  stats!

• 7 out of 10 adults are overweight, and of these, 3 out of 10 are obese  with BMI over 30.
• Studies show on average we spend more than 90% of  leisure time sitting down.
• And if we sit at work to do our job, we could be clocking additional  6-8 hours  sitting at our desk.
• Only 2 out of 10 people  meet the minimum level of activity each week, roughly 30 minutes a day,  5 times a week.
• So  80% of us are not active enough to meet even  this minimum guideline.

The impact of obesity and poor physical  fitness go hand in hand. When we are immobile for long periods , our blood circulation slows down, we burn fewer calories and our bodies use less blood sugar. The result is increasing risk  of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, muscle and joint problems. As chronic diseases typically manifest later in life, the aging baby boomer population in developed countries adds another negative dimension. At the same time, obesity and poor fitness  –  primary  chronic disease risk factors – continue  to increase. And  the clustering of these  risk factors  create the perfect storm for serious health issues that show no signs of slowing down.

Tackling the unhealthy lifestyle leading to  obesity and inactivity  is paramount if we are to lessen the financial and other pressures on our economy, health systems, individual quality of life and the health of our communities. So unhealthy lifestyle, is everybody’s business!