Inactivity Is Biggest Health Risk, Expert Says

The need to lead an active lifestyle is almost constantly emphasized in all fitness and health-oriented publications, mostly because it is the most efficient way of combating another problem we’ve been trying to deal with for years: the extra pounds around the waist and, in more general terms, the obesity pandemics. However, there is another side to inactivity that we might have overlooked and it’s more important than in relation to weight, Steven Blair, PED, leading expert in exercise science, tells the American Psychological Association, as cited by physorg.

According to Blair, inactivity is the biggest health threat of our times, leading to health issues that could be easily prevented and even early death, especially in cases where it reaches worrying quotas. With as many as 50 million Americans leading a completely sedentary life, which amounts to about 30 percent of all adults, the situation is on the verge of turning catastrophic if measures are not taken shortly, Blair points out. In order to be able to make said measures work, what health experts first need to do is to change people’s attitude towards physical exercise and, at the same time, make them understand the importance of integrating moving around in their life again.

“This amounts to 40 million to 50 million people exposed to the hazard of inactivity. Given that these individuals are doubling their risk of developing numerous health conditions compared with those who are even moderately active and fit, we’re looking at a major public health problem.” Blair tells the aforementioned source as to the shocking figures of inactive Americans. Most of these, the expert adds, don’t even do chores around the house, in the yard, or rarely walk even the shortest distances.

Nevertheless, given that things have gotten to this point, this means that people’s attitude towards exercise and keeping active has changed drastically over the years. “We have engineered the need for physical activity out of our daily lives,” Blair says, making sure we got everything covered so that we didn’t have to move around that much. Therefore, psychologists would be needed to help people realize the kind of benefits they’re missing out on by not moving off the couch or from in front of the desk at all, while, at the same time, understand the health risks they’re exposing themselves to.

“We need numerous changes to promote more physical activity for all, including public policies, changes in the health care system, promoting activity in educational settings and worksites, and social and physical environmental changes. We need more communities where people feel comfortable walking. I believe psychologists can help develop better lifestyle change interventions to help people be more active via the Internet and other technological methods.” Steven Blair explains.