Being a couch potato is a bad thing–Not working out, having sedentary or inactive behavior. The risks of physical inactivity increase whenever your lifestyle involves a lot of sitting and lying down with little to no activity.
Sedentary activities are becoming increasingly popular in the United States and around the world. We spend a lot of our free time sitting: on a computer or other gadget, watching TV, or playing video games.
Many of our occupations have become increasingly sedentary, requiring us to sit at a desk for long periods. And the majority of us travel by car, bus, or train, which requires us to sit.
What is a short-term consequence of a sedentary lifestyle?
So what are the consequences of lack of physical activity? Every year, tens of thousands of people die as a result of a lack of regular physical activity. This is one of the greatest consequences of not being physically active. In addition:
- Women are more prone than men to lead sedentary lifestyles.
- Inactivity tends to increase with age and comes with physical consequences.
- Non-Hispanic white adults are more likely to engage in physical activity than Hispanic and black adults which have high risks of physical inactivity.
What are the health risks of physical inactivity?
The consequences of lack of physical activity have clearly been shown to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and other conditions:
- Less active and less fit people have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure.
- Consequences of physical inactivity can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.
- Physically inactive overweight or obese people significantly increase their risk for disease without regular physical activity.
- Older adults who are physically inactive can increase their risk for falls and their ability to do daily activities.
What health consequence is most likely to result from an inactive lifestyle?
- Studies show that physically active people are more likely to develop coronary heart disease as one of the lack of physical activity effects. This is even after researchers accounted for smoking, alcohol use, and diet.
- Lack of physical activity can add to feelings of anxiety and depression.
- Effects of physical inactivity may increase the risk of certain cancers.
How can exercise reduce the risks of physical inactivity?
You may wonder what health consequence is most likely to result from an inactive lifestyle, and the answer to that is physical inactivity effects can still be reversed if you start now.
The consequences of lack of exercise or not exercising at all can be avoided. You may need to start gently if you have been idle. You can gradually increase the amount of exercise you do.
The more you can accomplish, the better you banish the consequences of inactivity. However, try not to get overwhelmed and do your best. It is always preferable to get some exercise over getting consequences of not exercising at all. Your ultimate goal may be to achieve the recommended amount of exercise for your age and health.
There are numerous ways to exercise and reduce the effects of lack of physical activity; however, it is critical to determine which types are best for you. You might also try to incorporate more movement into your life in tiny ways, such as at work or home.
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