Chapter 1 Why Physical Fitness? CHAPTER OUTLINE Life Expectancy vs. Healthy Life Expectancy Lifestyle as a Health Problem Physical Activity and Exercise Defined Surgeon General’s Report Fitness Standards: Health vs Physical Fitness Benefits of Fitness

Physical Fitness Research findings in the last three decades have shown that physical inactivity and negative lifestyle habits increase the risk for chronic diseases and premature mortality Widespread interest in health and preventive medicine has led to an increase in people participating in organized fitness programs Life Expectancy vs. Healthy Life Expectancy Lifestyle as a Health Problem Physical Activity and Exercise Defined Surgeon General’s Report Fitness Standards: Health vs Physical Fitness Benefits of Fitness

Risks of Physical Inactivity Physically inactive people die younger Technological advances have greatly reduced required daily physical activity About 400,000 deaths in the U.S. are attributed each year to physical inactivity and poor dietary habits Life Expectancy vs. Healthy Life Expectancy Lifestyle as a Health Problem Physical Activity and Exercise Defined Surgeon General’s Report Fitness Standards: Health vs Physical Fitness Benefits of Fitness

Life Expectancy Beginning of the 20th century Life expectancy was 47 years Major life threats were infectious diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, influenza, polio, etc. Late 20th century Infectious diseases eliminated with medical breakthroughs Life expectancy increased to 76.9 years but living the so-called “good life” encouraged chronic diseases: hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc. Life Expectancy vs. Healthy Life Expectancy Lifestyle as a Health Problem Physical Activity and Exercise Defined Surgeon General’s Report Fitness Standards: Health vs Physical Fitness Benefits of Fitness

Physical inactivity and poor lifestyle habits have caused an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases 1.1 Causes of Deaths in United States for Selected Years