The alarming rise in obesity in the United States, along with the many chronic diseases that manifest from obesity has brought about changes in the exercise requirements by the US Surgeon General's office. The watchwords of the Surgeon General's current exercise recommendations are: "Get Moving."
Definition
As outlined by the Legal-Dictionary, the surgeon general is responsible for the "protection and advancement of health in the United States." Appointed by the president, the surgeon general and her offices are a part of the Office of Public Health and Science, both of which fall under the direction of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Background
On Jan. 28, 2010, the surgeon general, the department of health and human service and the first lady jointly announced they would work together to aid Americans find improved health through better nutrition, encouraging communities to encourage healthy choices among their citizens and regular physical activity.
On that same date, Regina Benjamin, surgeon general, released her first report since she took office titled, "The Surgeon General's Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation."
Considerations
In her report to the nation, Benjamin voiced her concern about obesity in America and cited these statistics: One in three children and two-thirds of adults are either overweight or obese; between 1980 to 2008, the rate of obesity in children and teens has gone from 5 percent to 17 percent; between 1980 to 2008 the rate of obesity in adults has risen from 15 percent to 34 percent.
Benjamin cited the lack of regular physical activity among all age groups as one of the key contributing factors to the rise in obesity.
New View
The surgeon general's office has noted that when people who are generally inactive increase their physical activity to a moderate, regular basis, their health and well-being improves. Physical activity can be moderate, rather than strenuous, for health benefits to be achieved. Even greater health benefits may be achieved by "increasing the frequency, duration or intensity of physical activity" as outlined in the surgeon general's report "Physical Activity and Health."
Importance
In discussing the importance that regular moderate physical activity has on health and well-being, the Benjamin stated, "Because physical activity is so directly related to preventing disease and premature death and to maintaining a high quality of life, we must accord it the same level of attention that we give other important public health practices that affect the entire nation."
Benjamin also stated that the good news of her report, "The Surgeon General's Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation" is the finding of the value moderate physical activity has on personal health and well-being.
Types
The surgeon general's report included examples of a variety of activities which are considered to be moderate: Shoveling snow for 15 minutes; washing and waxing a car for 45 to 60 minutes; stair walking for 15 minutes; playing volleyball for 45 minutes; raking leaves for 30 minutes and propelling self in a wheelchair for 30 to 40 minutes.
References
- Legal-Dictionary: Surgeon General
- Surgeon General: The Surgeon General's Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation Fact Sheet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Physical Activity and Health
- The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: Executive Summary--A Report of the Surgeon General Physical Activity and Health
