Adherence to physical activity guidelines
Exercise helps control weight, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, and some cancers. Among those surveyed by the CDC, inadequate Physical Activity was common: almost half (48%) did not participate in 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week, and 79% did not participate in enough both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises to meet guidelines. In 2014, 28% of adults (31 million persons) aged 50 and older reported no physical activity such as calisthenics or walking for exercise. Not only does exercise improve physical strength, mental health, and prevent illness, it helps you look better, feel better, and have more energy. Staying physically fit increases the chances of a more vigorous and longer life.
Misuse of alcohol and other substances
Among those surveyed by the CDC, misuse of Alcohol was common: 18% of Americans are binge drinkers, defined as five or more drinks for men and four for women on one or more occasions in the past month; and 7% of Americans are heavy drinkers, defined as 60 or more drinks per month among men and 30 or more per month among women. Excessive use of alcohol contributes to injuries and potentially fatal alcohol poisoning. Long-term effects of excessive consumption of alcohol include increased risk of dementia, stroke, heart attack, hypertension, gastritis, pancreatitis,
liver disease, and a variety of cancers. Alcoholism all too often leads to depression and other psychiatric problems, as well as unemployment and other social problems.
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 15.9% of people aged 12 or older reported that they had used marijuana in the past year. Of people aged 12 years and older, an estimated 20.3 million had a substance use disorder, including 14.8 million with an alcohol use disorder; 8.1 million with an illicit drug use disorder, most commonly involving marijuana (4.4 million); and 2 million with an opioid use disorder, mostly involving prescription pain medications.
This blog presents opinions and ideas and is intended to provide helpful general information. I am not engaged in rendering advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures and suggestions in that are presented are not in any way a substitute for the advice and care of the reader’s own physician or other medical professional based on the reader’s own individual conditions, symptoms or concerns. If the reader needs personal medical, health, dietary, exercise or other assistance or advice the reader should consult a physician and/or other qualified health professionals. The author specifically disclaims all responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that the reader may incur as a direct or indirect consequence of following any directions or suggestions given in the book or participating in any programs described in this blog or in the book, The Building Blocks of Health––How to Optimize Wellness with a Lifestyle Checklist. References for most of the health related information in this blog can be found in the book, The Building Blocks of Health now available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Building-Blocks-Health-Lifestyle-Checklist-ebook/dp/B08RC3XRCY/. Copyright 2020 by J. Joseph Speidel.
