3. Health Benefits

In addition to reducing extrinsic factors, such as health care costs or the obesity epidemics, we strive to show you how physical activity can benefit your health. According to the HHS, among all adults aged 18 and over, only 24.2% met the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. However, regular physical activity is important to promote lifelong health and can:

  • Reduce stress
  • Increase mental health and mood
  • Improve the quality of sleep
  • Reduce your risk of stroke and other chronic diseases (diabetes, arthritis, etc.)
  • Help you connect socially
  • Improve concentration
  • Improve academic achievement
  • Boost your overall quality of life

Click the following link by the CDC to gain more detailed knowledge on ways physical activity can benefit you.

Additionally, as a student ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you ever feel bogged down by your coursework?
  • Do you ever feel so lethargic that the only way you feel you can gain energy is by resting and watching TV or reading?

Well if the answer is yes, while these may be appropriate at times, UGA researchers have actually found that 20-40 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise can boost feelings of energy.

Click on the link to navigate to UGA Today’s article to read how exercise can increase energy.

Next, compare your state’s chronic disease indicators against those of a different state and discover some alarming statistics concerning obesity, substance abuse, and chronic illness in the United States. Click HERE to explore the statistics of Georgia.

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Ch. 2 - Relevance Copyright © by UGA PEDB Program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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