Instructions: Read the short Article below and take the Quiz.
The Inactivity Epidemic
American College of Sports Medicine
Part 1: The Problem
Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health problem because it contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and many forms of cancer.
In addition to improving a patient’s overall health, increasing physical activity has proven effective in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases.
Despite the tremendous benefits of physical activity, levels of inactivity are alarming in both the United States and many other countries. We are facing what is now referred to as an “inactivity epidemic” that is incurring enormous costs.
According to the World Health Organization’s most recent Global Health Risks data, physical inactivity constitutes the 4th leading cause of death globally (after high blood pressure, tobacco use, and high blood glucose), with about 3.3 million attributable deaths per year.
More recent evidence, using direct measure rather than survey data, shows that physical inactivity is the leading cause of death in the US.
More than half of adults (56%) do not meet the recommendations for sufficient physical activity according to National Physical Activity Guidelines.*
In a study of older adolescents and adults in the US, participants spent almost 8 hours a day in sedentary behaviors, while as much as 36% of adults engaged in no leisure-time physical activity at all.
Physical inactivity costs the US health care system $330 per person each year, which is more than $102 billion dollars annually and is 100% preventable.
40% of US primary care doctors and 36% of US medical students do not meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines.*
Physically inactive doctors are less likely to provide exercise counseling to patients and provide less credible role models for the adoption of healthy behaviors. Not surprisingly, only 34% of adults report having received exercise counseling from their doctors.
In addition to improving a patient’s overall health, increasing physical activity has proven effective in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases.
Despite the tremendous benefits of physical activity, levels of inactivity are alarming in both the United States and many other countries. We are facing what is now referred to as an “inactivity epidemic” that is incurring enormous costs.
According to the World Health Organization’s most recent Global Health Risks data, physical inactivity constitutes the 4th leading cause of death globally (after high blood pressure, tobacco use, and high blood glucose), with about 3.3 million attributable deaths per year.
More recent evidence, using direct measure rather than survey data, shows that physical inactivity is the leading cause of death in the US.
More than half of adults (56%) do not meet the recommendations for sufficient physical activity according to National Physical Activity Guidelines.*
In a study of older adolescents and adults in the US, participants spent almost 8 hours a day in sedentary behaviors, while as much as 36% of adults engaged in no leisure-time physical activity at all.
Physical inactivity costs the US health care system $330 per person each year, which is more than $102 billion dollars annually and is 100% preventable.
40% of US primary care doctors and 36% of US medical students do not meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines.*
Physically inactive doctors are less likely to provide exercise counseling to patients and provide less credible role models for the adoption of healthy behaviors. Not surprisingly, only 34% of adults report having received exercise counseling from their doctors.
Part 2: The Solution
A variety of research studies have shown many health benefits from regular physical activity, and that as little as 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity physical activity is enough to obtain much of these health benefits.
Research shows that a low level of physical activity exposes a patient to a greater risk of dying than does smoking, obesity, hypertension, or high cholesterol, and for older men, regular physical activity can decrease the risk of death by 40%.
Active individuals in their 80’s have a lower risk of death than inactive individuals in their 60’s.
Regular physical activity:
Adults with better muscle strength have a 20% lower risk of mortality (33% lower risk of cancer specific mortality) than adults with low muscle strength.
A low level of fitness is a bigger risk factor for mortality than mild-moderate obesity. It is better to be fit and overweight than unfit and normal weight.
For teens, regular physical activity has been shown to lead to higher academic achievement, including higher SAT scores.
For elementary children, regular physical activity can decrease discipline incidents involving violence by 60% and decrease school suspensions by 70%.
Research shows that a low level of physical activity exposes a patient to a greater risk of dying than does smoking, obesity, hypertension, or high cholesterol, and for older men, regular physical activity can decrease the risk of death by 40%.
Active individuals in their 80’s have a lower risk of death than inactive individuals in their 60’s.
Regular physical activity:
- Reduces mortality of recurrent breast cancer by 50%.
- Lowers the risk of colon cancer by over 60%.
- Reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 40%.
- Reduces the incidence of heart disease and high blood pressure by over 40%.
- Lowers the risk of stroke by 30%.
- Lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 60%.
- Is twice as effective in treating type 2 diabetes than standard insulin treatment and can save $2,250 per person per year when compared to the cost of standard drug treatment.
- Treats depression as effectively as medication or counseling.
Adults with better muscle strength have a 20% lower risk of mortality (33% lower risk of cancer specific mortality) than adults with low muscle strength.
A low level of fitness is a bigger risk factor for mortality than mild-moderate obesity. It is better to be fit and overweight than unfit and normal weight.
For teens, regular physical activity has been shown to lead to higher academic achievement, including higher SAT scores.
For elementary children, regular physical activity can decrease discipline incidents involving violence by 60% and decrease school suspensions by 70%.
* Confirmation studies have shown these percentages to be around 80% for all sub-populations, including: adults, primary care doctors, and medical students, for not meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
The EIM Initiative
Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) is a global health initiative managed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in direct response to the inactivity epidemic. Its intent is to encourage primary care physicians and other healthcare providers to include physical activity when designing treatment plans and to refer patients to evidence-based exercise programs and qualified exercise professionals, especially those with the EIM credential.
EIM is committed to the belief that physical activity: a) Promotes optimal health, b) Is integral in the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions, c) Should be regularly assessed, and d) Should be included as part of standard health care.
Prescribing physical activity in the right “dosage” is a highly effective strategy for the prevention, treatment, and management of more than 40 of the most common chronic health conditions encountered in clinical practice. The goals of the EIM Initiative are to encourage healthcare providers, regardless of their specialty, to assess and record physical activity levels as a type of "vital sign" during each clinical encounter and to conclude each visit with either an exercise prescription and/or a referral to a certified exercise professional for fitness testing, training, and support.
EIM is committed to the belief that physical activity: a) Promotes optimal health, b) Is integral in the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions, c) Should be regularly assessed, and d) Should be included as part of standard health care.
Prescribing physical activity in the right “dosage” is a highly effective strategy for the prevention, treatment, and management of more than 40 of the most common chronic health conditions encountered in clinical practice. The goals of the EIM Initiative are to encourage healthcare providers, regardless of their specialty, to assess and record physical activity levels as a type of "vital sign" during each clinical encounter and to conclude each visit with either an exercise prescription and/or a referral to a certified exercise professional for fitness testing, training, and support.
After reading the Article above, take the Quiz below.