Why move more?

The bottom line is that being physically active is important for good health. More than 60 percent of U.S. adults do not engage in the recommended amount of activity. Tennessee ranks 2^nd in the U.S. in adult obesity (32%) and 4^th for physical inactivity (29.9%)!

BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Exercising regularly is one of the most important steps for good health. Being physically active:

• Controls your weight
• Helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints
• Reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some cancers.
• Improves mental health and mood
• Increases your chances of living longer

What can I do to move more?

• On Campus
  • Take the stairs
  • Use the walking trails on or around campus 
  • Ride your bike
  • Participate in the many activities at the Campus Recreation Intramural Service
    • Free for Full-time Students
    • Inexpensive for students and employees
    • Join the Tigers Feel Great program to help with your personal fitness and weight loss goals
    • Get started with the Desk to 5K initiative

• Resources
  • 23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?
  • What do the experts say?

REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Trends in Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity by Age, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity — United States, 1994–2004." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 54(39): 991–994, October 2005.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Data & Statistics | Feature: Physical Inactivity Estimates, by County. (2011, April 25). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsPhysicalInactivity/

Troiano R, Berrigan D, Dodd K, et al. "Physical Activity in the United States Measured by Accelerometer." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(1): 181–188, January 2008.

Trust for America's Health, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. F as in Fat: How obesity threatens America's Future, Washington, DC. June 2010

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Circulation. 1998; 97: 2099-2100.