Why Is It Important To Keep Physically Fit?

According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, physical fitness can help you perform according to your potential and is a major part of health and well-being. Physical fitness includes cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition. Increasing and maintaining physical fitness can reduce the risks of heart disease and other obesity-related diseases, improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life and decrease costs of health care expenses.

Heart Disease

The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. The AHA states that increasing fitness through daily physical activity can lower your risk by improving heart efficiency and blood circulation, improving cholesterol levels, increasing muscle strength, managing high blood pressure and managing stress.

Obesity

Becoming overweight or obese can result in many health problems. Stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and some types of cancer, in addition to heart disease, are all obesity-related diseases and conditions, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Staying fit and maintaining a healthy weight reduces your risk of these conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 30 minutes or more of physical activity on most days of the week to maintain a healthy weight, and more activity may be necessary to lose weight.

Mental Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that physical activity can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhance overall well-being. Additionally, a 2009 study published in the "BMC Public Health" journal found that individuals who engaged in less than 60 minutes of physical activity per week were more likely to experience feelings of hopelessness about their future. The study concluded that low levels of fitness are associated with feelings of hopelessness, which can lead to other mental and physical health problems.

Quality of Life

A 2010 study published in "Health and Quality of Life Outcomes" found that young men who were physically fit reported a higher health-related quality of life. The CDC also reports that fitness can improve the quality of life in older individuals by improving their ability to perform everyday tasks. Staying fit can also improve the quality of life in older individuals by delaying the onset of chronic diseases that may come with aging.

Health Care Costs

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports that obese individuals pay, on average, 42 percent more in health care costs than normal-weight individuals. The AHA reports that the cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the United States for 2009 is more than $475 billion. Preventing serious health conditions and diseases by staying physically fit can help you reduce your potential health care costs.