Health
Effects of Physical Inactivity
The health effects
of physical inactivity were summarized in a 1996 report by the Surgeon
General (see summary).
This and more recent
studies confirm that physical inactivity is an important contributor
to obesity, diabetes,
hypertension, heart disease, colon cancer, breast cancer, and premature
death.
In addition, regular
physical activity reduces feelings of depression and anxiety; helps
to control weight; helps to maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints;
prevents falls among older people; reduces the risk of breast cancer;
and promotes feelings of well-being.
Physical inactivity
is a major contributor to premature mortality in San Francisco (see
link to "Conribution to overall disease burden" on the right),
and this problem can be addressed (see link to "What can be done?"
on the right).
[This preliminary
page can be expanded after a systematic literature review (See "MEDLINE
strategies" on the right for MeSH help).]
