Inactivity Is More Deadly Than Being Obese

A study done by the University of Cambridge found that there was a higher risk of death in not exercising than there was in being obese.

The study found that being inactive was about twice as lethal as being obese and that even a 20 minute walk could make a dent in improving someone’s health.

“The benefits of exercise are not only limited to helping someone with weight loss and maintenance; rather there are numerous benefits to overall health,” says Maria Pena, MD, director of the Center for Weight Management at Syosset Hospital. “For example, exercise helps decrease ‘insulin resistance’ thus decreasing blood sugar levels and helping prevent or delay the progression to diabetes. Exercise is also very helpful in decreasing blood pressure because this causes the vessels in the body to relax, allowing for more blood flow. This same mechanism accounts for the overall improvement in circulation, particularly to the brain and heart, thus decreasing the risks of strokes, heart attacks and in some cases dementia. Exercise also helps decrease the ‘bad’ cholesterol and increase the ‘good’ cholesterol, thus adding to its cardioprotective effects.”

Not only is exercise beneficial in all of these ways, but it can also help someone’s emotional state.

“Exercise is a very effective way of relieving stress, anxiety, and depression, thus helping prevent all of the issues associated with these ailments,” Dr. Pena says.