The IAA One Minute Blog

Guidelines released on November 12 by the federal government show that most Americans are not getting the exercise they need, costing the healthcare system over $100 billion each year.

New Standards

The new standards are similar to those released 10 years ago, but the government is scrapping a recommendation that physical activity occurs in 10 minute blocks, instead telling Americans to “move more and sit less” whenever possible. Any amount of exercise has some health benefits, officials say.

The guidelines recommend an hour of “moderate-to-vigorous” activity each day for children six to 17, along with muscle-strengthening activities two days a week. For the first time, the guidelines also recommend that preschool-age children have at least three hours of “active play” each day.

Adults should aim for two and a half hours each week of moderate to vigorous activity.

Just 26 percent of men, 19 percent of women and 20 percent of adolescents are meeting the standards officials said, costing the United States healthcare system $117 billion each year and leading to about 10 percent of premature deaths. These finding were published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association.”    

Exercise and You

Exercise can improve your life in a multitude of ways:

• Exercise boosts energy: Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. 
• Exercise can be fun and social: Exercise and physical activity can be enjoyable. It gives you a chance to unwind. It can also help connect you with friends or family in a social setting. 
• Exercise combats health conditions and diseases: No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or “good” cholesterol and decreases triglycerides. This helps keep your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Regular exercise helps prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, a number of types of cancer, arthritis, and falls.  
• Exercise controls weight: Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss.  When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories.
• Exercise improves mood: Physical exercise stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed.
• Exercise promotes better sleep: Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster.

Based on new evidence, the updated guidelines say exercise can reduce symptoms of anxiety, slow the progression of hypertension and type 2 diabetes, and help prevent eight types of cancer in adults. Exercise can also improve cognition in those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or dementia, the guidelines say. Exercise can even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

What IAA has to Say

Insurance Administrator of America wants you to get out there and move! Exercise is key to leading a healthy life. IAA knows even a little step can help you move in the right direction.

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