Regardless of whether it’s a bike ride or climbing stairs, walking the dog or parking farther than usual, physical activity has a variety of advantages. Research shows that regular physical activity makes people leaner, stronger, smarter and healthier.
So why do not more people have regular physical activity?
There are many reasons why people are inactive, our world is man-made, with cities and neighborhoods, streets, buildings, parks and trails and all of it plays an important role. And our social environment is also important: family and colleagues, for example, can facilitate people to stand up and move. The place where we live, learn, work hard and have fun has a great impact on how we do live.
The family may be the main basis for a physically active life. Studies show that parents are particularly important as role models, motivators and instigators of physical activity in children and adolescents.
Their role includes everything from the purchase of sports equipment and monitoring the training of children to paying membership fees and expression of praise.
Other important factors are active in raising the level of activity of children such as positive motivation, participation of father, mother, brother or sister, time spent outdoors, and family income.
Workplace and active travel to work
Employed adults spend one-fourth of life at work, and the pressures and demands of work can affect their eating habits and physical activity patterns. Obesity and overweight may be partially associated with negative work conditions. This is especially true in highly demanding environments with little control, and those who work overtime. Shift workers who are chronically sleep deprived and do not have time to exercise are also at greater risk of obesity.
Schools and active travel to school
The school is an ideal environment for the test programs to encourage physical activity among students. Almost all children and adolescents spend a large part of the day in classes and most schools have defined rest periods and sports facilities that can be used to make physical activity a part of the school day. A recent Cochrane study [1] on the prevention of obesity among 55 children found to have longer periods of physical activity and skill development or exercise during the school week, including a promising strategy for the prevention of obesity. Programs that combine nutrition and physical activity perform better in reducing fat among the children of those who engage in physical activity only.
Conclusion: The environment that supports active lifestyles
Our approach to environment has a significant impact on where, when, how and how much physical activity is practiced on a daily basis. Such as lack of physical activity a major cause of the obesity epidemic, creating an environment that stimulates activity is one way to fight this epidemic.
There are numerous elements of the environment that encourages activity: buildings, streets and communities that encourage walking and cycling, parks and playgrounds that are rich in content and attractive neighborhoods where people feel safe. How communities can begin the task of creating spaces and places that promote activity? They can start by considering the impact of development and transportation projects in health considering their environmental impact. Such changes will be crucial to achieving the goal of that physical activity becomes a regular and natural part of people’s daily lives.
