Identification of the problem or issue.
Physical exercise is defined as any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for many various reasons. These include strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance and for enjoyment. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the “diseases of affluence” such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual’s sex appeal or body image, which again is also linked with higher levels of self-esteem. Childhood obesity is a growing global concern and physical exercise may help decrease the effects of childhood obesity in developed countries.
What is the problem you are highlighting? Describe it.
Being physically active is not easy. Underlying attitudes towards daily physical activity are in need of a change in order to reach healthier, more active lifestyles. Efforts to increase physical activity among people are at the forefront of public health research because the benefits of a healthy lifestyle go far beyond physical and mental well-being. It is said that explicit motivational processes are often unsuccessful in causing changes that people can easily maintain long-term.
Is there a solution to it? If so, what is it?
One proposed solution is to promote or encourage additional physical activity without the person knowing it. In this way, a positive attitude towards physical activity can be maintained and people would remain motivated to keep themselves healthy through additional physical activity. Activities could be incorporated into schools, and other places that many people attend.
We know you’re busy with your job, we know you’ve got a lot of homework, but take it from us, you can fit activity into your life. Here are some easy ways to get started.
Adults
Use a push mower to mow the lawn. Go for a walk in a nearby park. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. Bike to work, to run errands, or to visit friends. Clean out the garage or the attic. Walk with a friend over the lunch hour. Volunteer to become a coach or referee. Sign up for a group exercise class. Join a softball league. Park at the farthest end of the lot.
Kids
Take your dog for a walk. Start up a playground kickball game. Join a sports team. Go to the park with a friend. Help your parents with yard work. Play tag with kids in your neighborhood. Ride your bike to school. Walk to the store. See how many jumping jacks you can do. Race a friend to the end of the block.
Who can make the solution possible?
1. Local schools.
2. The federal and local government.
3. American Cancer Society.
4. Fitness clubs.
Identification of a community partner
1. American Cancer Society/California/Santa Clara County Unit
747 Camden Ave Ste B
Campbell, CA 95008
Phone: (408) 871-1062
Fax : (408) 871-2993
2. 24 Hour Fitness
1825 – A Hillsdale Avenue
San Jose, CA 95124
408.723.2639
3. The President’s Challenge
501 N. Morton Street, Suite 203
Bloomington, IN 47404
Describe a case example related to the topic of the week where there was a public health “success”.
Jared S. Fogle, born December 1, 1977, is also known as The Subway Guy. Jared is a spokesman employed by Subway Restaurants in its advertising campaigns. He is known for his significant weight loss, now known as the “Subway diet”, attributed to eating Subway sandwiches and physical activity, which led to his role promoting the company.
Reducing calories may not be enough to reach the desired weight loss goal. In addition to consuming two low fat meals per day, Jared walked 1.5 miles to and from Subway. This level of exercise assisted him in losing weight.