by

Joseph

Millions of cancer deaths could be prevented if people adopt healthy lifestyles, this is the word from the World Health Organization(WHO). On February 3 the WHO released the new Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health which suggests that 150 minutes per week of moderate physical aerobic activity could significantly reduce an adult's chances of developing breast or colon cancer. Children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity to lower their cancer risk.

Physical Inactivity Is A Leading Cause of Death

The WHO reports that physical inactivity accounts for 3.2 million deaths each year, and is associated with 30% of ischemic heart disease (related to atherosclerosis) and diabetes cases globally. Put another way: leading a sedentary lifestyle may kill you. In just 2008 alone, an estimated 610, 000 men and women died of colorectal cancer while breast cancer claimed the lives of approximately 460, 000 women. And the sad thing is that many of these deaths could have been prevented if the victims had changed their diet, quit smoking and participated in regular physical exercise.

Get Moving If You Want To Live

Professor Chris Wild, director of the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) says that "Physical inactivity is one risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, which is modifiable and therefore of great potential public health significance." And he's right.

If you think about, 150 minutes of physical activity per week isn't really that hard to do. Just think about it. It breaks down to just 30 minutes of exercise five days per week. Now some of you are already thinking: "Oh, I can't do this. How am I going to fit thirty minutes of exercise into my day?" Well, just off the top of my head I thought up a short list of aerobic activities that most anyone can do:

• taking a brisk walk around the block
• jogging
• ice skating
• playing raquetball
• stairclimbing
• working out on the treadmill
• riding a stationary bicycle 

We always have a choice: we can accept things as they are OR we can make changes. The WHO reports that colon and breast cancer are linked to poor lifestyle. Diabetes and heart disease are associated with physical inactivity. Many people whom have been diagnosed with diabetes and cardiovascular disease happen to be overweight or obese. Getting the picture? If you hope to live to a ripe old age, this is your chance to do it. Don't hesitate. Do it now.

Okay, now I turn it over to you. What other activities can you add to my list? Tell us about it in the comments.

Please retweet this post about the World Health Organization's latest recommendations for adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Always seek to do the will of the Father in heaven.

Article Source

World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2011/world_cancer_day_20110204/en/index.html

"Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent Cancer Deaths: WHO" copyright © 2011 Living Fit, Healthy and Happy. All Rights Reserved.

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