THE SHAPE OF THE UNION
Lack of exercise and fitness has led to obesity. Rowing, aerobics, biking, vitamins and caffeine can affect health.
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ILLUSTRATION BY TOBY ROSSER/PARAGRAPHICS
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TO YOUR HEALTH
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Americans have gotten the message but many
aren't taking proper care
When it comes to the fitness of body, mind, or spirit,
the editors of American Health are there, staying
on top of the latest in medical research, separating fad
from fact, and helping you preserve and improve life's most
precious gift, your good health. Yet, despite a wealth of
information on living a healthier life, many Americans seem
to be missing the point.
One Nation Under Fat
"The United States has failed in fulfilling its fitness
goals and expectations," concludes Krys Spain, research and
program development specialist for the President's Council
on Physical Fitness and Sports, who has been monitoring the
nation's progress in meeting objectives set by health
experts in 1979. Two of these goals were to have 60% of
children aged 10 to 17 participating daily in school
physical education programs and 60% of adults participating
in regular vigorous physical activity.
Perhaps the most serious failure involves children. In 1984
the Department of Health and Human Services found that only
36% of children aged 10 to 17 had daily physical education
classes available to them—a marginal 3% increase over
1975 statistics. "One of the factors is money," Spain
comments. "When federal and state education budgets are
cut, the first thing to go is gym class." Only one
state—Illinois—requires daily physical
education classes for children.
As for adults, data from studies done between 1984 and 1987
indicate that only 8% of the total population participates
in regular vigorous physical exercise. That number doesn't
jibe with other studies that show well over half the
nation's population get some kind of regular exercise. Why
the discrepancy?
"A lot of the problem may be in definition," says Spain.
"What we define as regular vigorous activity—three
times a week for 20 minutes a session, at 60% of maximum
aerobic capacity—may be much more than what most
people think of as 'regular vigorous activity.' " They may
be playing softball, taking walks, or simply mowing the
lawn or climbing a few flights of stairs.
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