According to the International Diabetes Institute director Paul Zimmet, Australians are killing themselves with inactivity'. This statement is enough to say that we should all increase our physical activity levels. Inactivity has become an epidemic in Australia as well as throughout the world. 65% of men and 50% of women are over weight or obese. But being over weight is more important to your body than many people realize, staying active and exercising benefits in more ways then one, including physically, mentally and physiologically. 2nd to America, Australia is becoming a nation characterised by couch potatoes. It is essential that we as a nation begin to take our physical health more seriously.
By the completion of this talk, I am sure that you will be inspired to get up and start your plans to becoming more active. I will be outlining the benefits of exercise; the risk factors of being overweight give you some suggestions for physical activity and lastly through the use of overheads, show how obesity has become an epidemic in Australia and ultimately all around the world.
Firstly the benefits. "The benefits of exercise are vast and varied. The American Heart Association lists benefits which include: reduced risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, increased energy levels, decreased stress and tension, assistance with sleep, improved self-image, increased muscle strength and delayment and prevention of chronic illnesses (AHA, The Benefits of Daily Physical Activity). As can be seen, the benefits are not only to body but also to the mind. Other studies report that exercises prevent diseases including arthritis, cancer and heart disease. A report into health promotion and aging also cited various benefits of exercise including reduced incidences of: heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, depression, anxiety and osteoporotic fractures. .
So why doesn't everyone get out there and become more active? It seems the biggest hurdle to becoming more active is yourself.
