Impact of Physical Activity on Obesity and Health

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Overview: The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that in 2003-2004, 17.1 percent of US children and adolescents were overweight, with the rates continuing to increase. These children are at an increased risk for developing health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. Activity levels for many children have declined because of a built environment that is unsafe for walking and bicycling, the low percentage of children who take physical education in school, and the popularity of sedentary leisure-time activities. Using Safe Routes to School as way to create environment, policy, and behavioral changes is one way to increase physical activity and promote the health of both children and adults. This section highlights academic literature that speaks to the overall health benefits of physical activity, specifically walking to and from school, as well as the impact that increased physical activity opportunities have on current obesity and health trends in the US. The implications of this research are valuable as they guide policy-makers and practitioners to implement effective strategies for improving physical activity opportunities and overall health. Research Highlights: • Walking and bicycling are far more common in European countries than in the United States, Australia, and Canada, where active transportation is inversely related to obesity (Bassett, et al., 2008). • Research demonstrates that children who walk or bicycle to school have higher daily levels of physical activity and better cardiovascular fitness than do children who do not actively commute to school (Davison, et al., 2008). • Two small lifestyle changes in diet (to eliminate 100 kcal/day) and physical activity (to walk an additional 2000 steps/day) could be useful for addressing childhood obesity by preventing excess weight gain in families (Hill, et
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