10 May is celebrated as ‘World Move for Health Day’ to raise public awareness of the benefits of physical activity. Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Özgür Yaşar said, “While inactivity is rapidly becoming widespread today, obesity is increasing alarmingly both in the world and in our country. However, 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise 5 days a week is sufficient for adults to protect and improve health. Children and adolescents between the ages of 5-18 should exercise regularly for 60 minutes a day.
6 IMPORTANT HEALTH BENEFITS OF REGULAR EXERCISE!
Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Özgür Yaşar, in his statement within the scope of 10 May World Health Day, explained the 6 important benefits of regular exercise for our health, and made important warnings and suggestions.
PROTECTS FROM EXTREME WEIGHT AND OBESITY
Overweight and obesity occur when energy input (food intake) exceeds total energy output. Inactivity is a very important factor in the prevalence of obesity. Exercising for a sufficient amount of time each day helps achieve and maintain ideal weight.
SUPPORTS HEART AND VACULAR HEALTH
One of the biggest benefits of physical activity is that it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The risk of heart disease is twice as high in sedentary people than those who exercise regularly. In addition, it has a preventive effect on cerebrovascular disease resulting in stroke, and reduces many risk factors that may cause cardiovascular disease such as hypertension and high cholesterol.
REDUCES THE RISK OF CANCER
Scientific studies reveal that regular exercise reduces the risk of cancer and significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer in the postmenopausal period. There is some evidence that the risk of prostate cancer also decreases with intense exercise.
PREVENTS DIABETES
Dr. Özgür Yaşar said, “While diabetes used to occur in adults over the age of 40, it is rapidly becoming more common in children and young people in parallel with the increase in obesity rate in recent years. Scientific studies show that regular exercise helps prevent Type-2 diabetes. “Diabetes is 30 percent less common in people who exercise every day compared to those who are inactive.”
IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH
If you include regular exercise in your daily life habits and exercise for half an hour every day, you can contribute to reducing your depression, stress and anxiety problems. Regular exercise also helps provide children with social skills and helps women develop positive thoughts about their own abilities and qualities. It builds self-esteem and improves quality of life for children and adults. It also provides opportunities to meet new people and establish relationships with society and the environment during sports activities. It encourages the person to eat healthy and not to smoke.
STRENGTHENS THE MUSCLE AND SKELETON SYSTEM
While regular exercise protects and improves muscle and skeletal health, it prevents muscle weakness resulting from a sedentary lifestyle and emerging with advanced age. It also reduces the risk of hip fractures and falls, which are common and very dangerous in advanced age. Particularly, participation in weight-bearing activities (for example, jumping or jumping) helps to increase bone density. This is especially important for adolescents and middle-aged women in terms of developing bone density.