Televisions, computer games, and electronic gadgetry have simply made us – Well Lazy!

Today when everything is available at the click of the button, children and adolescents have become couch and mouse potatoes leading to a rise in inactivity and thus inviting overweight, obesity and other associated health problems.

The benefits of exercise are best when they increase the heart rate over a sustained period of time, so we at NutritionVista recommend our members strive for 30 – 60 minutes of daily moderate activity at the minimum.

One key benefit of exercise is that it helps build stronger bones at any age. It also helps treat and prevent osteoporosis, improve muscle strength, coordination, and balance, leading to better overall health.

Exercise of any kind helps -
* Lowering body fat levels
* Building or preserving muscle mass
* Improving insulin sensitivity
* Increasing the body’s ability to use calories (better metabolic rate)
* Strengthens our cardiovascular system
* Aids in developing stronger bone structure
* Building musculature
* Strengthens immunity
* Helps in decreasing the frequency of cold, allergic reactions.

Daily moderate exercise (60 minutes daily – 300-400 minutes a week)
* Lowers blood pressure
* Raises HDL levels (good cholesterol)
* Lowers LDL levels (bad cholesterol)
* Increase blood flow to all body tissues
* Enhances the heart’s working capacity
* Builds stamina
* Helps in prevention of heart disease and stroke from an early age itself.

Most importantly, with exercise – reduction in fat levels and improvement in metabolism decreases the incidence of non insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes.
In countries like India where diabetes and CVD are becoming a scourge, encouraging moderate exercise can become a solution.
Mrinal Jhangiani
MD, NutritionVista.com