Stay Active to Reduce Health Risks

Native News Network Staff in Native Health Discussion »

BETHESDA, MARYLAND – Unfortunately, American Indians and Alaska Natives struggle to keep their weights down. American Indians and Alaska Natives are 1.6 times as likely to be obese than non-Hispanic Caucasians, according to the Office of Minority Health.

Cherokee Students Walk for Diabetes Awareness

A study indicates that even if people can't work off the weight, being physically active may reduce factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can affect their risk of cardiovascular disease. At the University of South Carolina, researcher D.C. Lee saw this in six years of weight and exercise data on more than 3,100 healthy adults. Lee saw a benefit even if people gained weight.

“Even though they gained fatness, if they improved or maintained their fitness level, they decreased their risk of developing those cardiovascular disease risk factors.”

So Lee says people should keep active.

The study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

When it comes to weight loss, there's no lack of fad diets promising fast results. But such diets limit your nutritional intake, can be unhealthy, and tend to fail in the long run.

The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't about short-term dietary changes. It's about a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular physical activity, and balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses.

Staying in control of your weight contributes to good health now and as you age.

posted May 15, 2012 6:30 am edt