If you are over 60, go take a hike or at least a brisk walk on a regular basis.
It may help you live a few more years, even if you are a bit overweight or even obese, says a study recently conducted by at the University of South Carolina.
This study puts forward specific evidences in addition to the number of studies conducted before. There are several studies available establishing the fact that there are benefits of being fit even if you are a little too fat.
“You cannot tell just by looking at someone if they are fit”, says Dr.Steven Blair, Professor in the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. Dr.Steven Blair further adds, “You can certainly be fat, even obese, and still be fit”.
Dr.Steven Blair and his colleague researchers at the Arnold School of Public Health made an assessment of certain measurable parameters including the aerobic fitness, Body Mass Index (BMI), and the waist circumference.
The study involved 2,603 adult participants with a minimum age if 60 years. Researchers planned this study with a long term objective and kept a track of all the participants for 12 years. Findings of this research study revealed that during this track period of 12 years 450 participants died.
Men and women who were fit within the rages of ‘normal weight’,overweight’,and ‘obese’ demonstrated a lower level of risks for death during all these twelve years in comparison to the people who were at the normal weight with unfit body.
Results of the study show that the participants who were the least fit had a four times higher death rate than to the ones who were most fit. Similarly, the participants who were equal in weights but differed in the levels of fitness had the death rate difference ratio of 1:2 in majority of the cases.
Dr Steven Blair explains that the people who are sedentary can get themselves out of the ‘hazardous low-fit category’ just by doing 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, at least five days a week. To attain the level of highest fitness category people would probably need to be doing 45 minutes or more of moderate activities for at least five days in a week. They would also be required to devote some of the time for rigorous activities.
“This study provides more evidences that a key to healthy aging is being physically active, and it is important at any weight”, said Timothy Church, Director of Preventive Medicine Research at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.
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Further Reading :
Yes, it seems nice idea to be physically active, but the idea itself isn’t apealling. Health benefits are right here, but we need some motivation or interest to do so. Maybe sport or picking up mushrooms in the woods?