Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/510259
Staying in shape may bolster the metabolic profiles of college students. In an epidemiological study, researchers found an association between physical fitness, body fat percentage and metabolic risk factors that are precursors to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Researchers tracked four biomarkers of metabolic risk – high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and blood glucose levels. According to Eurekaiert: "Physical fitness appeared to have a greater impact on certain metabolic risk factors than body fat. Being fit correlated with lower triglycerides and higher HDL… healthy cholesterol in women and lower blood glucose levels in men." Even though more Americans are exercising, rates of obesity and smoking have not changed. A survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that obesity rates remained at around 28 percent of adults, the same as in 2008. However, 34.7 percent claimed that they engaged in regular leisure physical activity, up from 31.9 percent in 2008. Reuters reports: "Health experts and the U.S. government both recommend getting daily exercise – about an hour a day of moderate exercise for most adults – to keep weight off and prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer." According to the latest statistics cited above, obesity remains a growing concern in the United States, despite the fact that more people claim to be exercising. As for overweight children, teens, and young adults, it's important to realize that carrying excess weight early in life increases the number of years they're exposed to all the health risks associated with obesity. As discussed in a previous article, there are at least 20 serious diseases and health conditions directly attributable to being overweight. Obese adults tend to have higher rates of high blood pressure, abnormal lipids, cancer and diabetes. And, making matters worse, the vast majority of them are treated with costly and potentially dangerous medications that in no way address the real problems, but rather cause further deterioration of health. As a parent, one of the most valuable gis you can give your child is to be a role model for a healthy lifestyle and help them achieve optimal health at an early age. is includes eating a healthy diet tailor- made to your individual biochemistry, full of fresh, preferably local, organic foods, and exercising to increase physical fitness. Keeping Fit Decreases Your Chronic Disease Risk "Although cardiovascular disease and diabetes oen surface much later in life, our results tell us that men and women in late adolescence and early adulthood are already showing chronic disease risk, but that keeping fit may help reduce this risk," says senior author Jennifer M. Sacheck, PhD, assistant professor at the Friedman School. Page 8| Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysHealthAndNutrition.com