There is no argument that as we age, our body begins to go through physical changes. Our metabolism slows down and as we age it becomes more difficult to get back in "shape." There is a way to avoid being a part of America's 64% of adults who are overweight. Sadly the greatest increase of this percentage comes from persons between the ages of 18 and 29 years. This age group is the prime time in a person's life to take control and begin a healthy lifestyle of exercising and eating healthy. By doing this we will see a greater rise in healthier and happier adults. These studies will show a few select ways and benefits of beginning exercise as a young adult or child in order to build a healthier life as an adult.
A study was conducted using 764 college students (53% women and 47% men) all during their freshman and sophomore year. Students had their weight and heights measured and were required to fill out a questionnaire regarding their recent exercise and dietary patterns. The filled out questionnaire recorded astounding and disappointing numbers. In the beginning of their freshman year, 29% of students reported that they did not exercise, 70% of the students ate less than 5 fruits and vegetables a day and more than 50% ate fried food or high-fat fats food at least 3 times a week. Through the adult BMI criteria, 5% of students were reportedly underweight, 76% were of normal weight and 18% were considered overweight. At the end of their sophomore year 38% of the students returned for follow-up assessments. 290 of the original 764 college students returned to show a 70% increase in body weight compared to freshman year. Weight also decreased for 26% and remained the same for 3%. Overall, the study shows a significant weight gain within the first two years of college. This study highlighted the student's inactivity and unhealthy dietary behaviors through the first two years and only a select few of these students showed an active change in their weight loss. The findings mainly showed potential adverse behaviors of college students that contribute to being overweight during adulthood. It is predicted that college student may play a role in America's nearly two thirds of adult obese and overweight epidemic. This study further encourages the younger generation to begin a healthy dietary and exercise routine to maintain a healthy body weight throughout adulthood.
A study done in 1999 researches the influence of childhood and adolescent physical activity patterns on adult physical activity. One hundred and five male volunteers completed a questionnaire about their current and historic physical activity and completed a treadmill stress test. The results showed that the frequency of being forced to exercise and the frequency of being encouraged to exercise during the preteen and teen years were inversely related to adult physical activity. This study mentioned that it is commonly assumed that habits of physical activity developed during childhood and adolescence continue into adulthood but the data they have collected shows otherwise. The results showed that being forced to exercise during childhood may have negative consequences for later physical activity while childhood experiences related to willingness to participate in physical activity during childhood and adolescence may influence adult physical activity. In order to have a positive outlook on physical activity and exercise as an adult, it is important to note that a great deal of willingness and encouragement must be presented by the child or adolescent. In these circumstances, it is important to make exercise and physical activity fun for the younger generation in order to instill better health and exercise habits for the future.
This longitudinal study examines 87 girls (57 experimental and 30 control subjects) and 79 boys (51 experimental and 28 control subjects). Throughout 6 years of primary school, the experimental group had received 5 hours of physical education per week, taught by a specialist, whereas the control group had received a single 40 minute per week class taught by a non-specialist. All the students attended the same two schools. This analysis was based on physical activity gathered during 1970-1977 and again during a subject recall from 1996-1998. The students kept a diary of their experience in gym class. In the initial part of the experiment subjects were estimated once in March of 1976 and once in September of 1976. The students at this time ranged from age 10-12. The parents of the children involved also provided information on their physical activity during this time period. When the children were later reviewed as adults in the late 90's there was a correlation between frequency of physical activity as an adult and time spent during childhood in total physical activity. Interestingly, males tended to thrive more from organized physical activity and it deemed to be a good predictor of their physical activity as an adult. The women on the other hand, during ages 10-12 years, their participation in organized physical activity had been significantly associated with their parent's physical activity.
The mentioned studies prove that it is important and vital to maintain a healthy body weight as well as healthy eating habits in order to increase the likeliness of continual physical activity. Altogether maintaining a high physical activity in young childhood to adolescence through encouragement shows an effect in long term exercise and health as well as the child's influence from physical education and the influence of the child's parent's physical activeness and health.
Racette, S., Deusinger, S., Highstein, G., Deusinger, R., & Strube, M. (2005). Weight Changes and Dietary Patterns. Journal of American College Health, 53, 245-251.
Trudeau, F., Laurencelle, L., &Shepard, R. (2004). Tracking of Physical Activity from Childhood to Adulthood. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36, 1-10.
Wendell, T., Blair, S., Cummings, S., Wun, C., &Malina, R. (1999). Childhood and Adolescent Physical Activity Patterns and Adult Psysical Activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31, 1-10.
Aging and Exercising (http://www.sportsci.org/encyc/agingex/agingex.html)
The Many Benefits of Exercise (http://www.wholehealthmd.com/news/viewarticle/1,1513,1260,00.html)
Health Benefits of Exercise (http://www.nutristrategy.com/health.htm)
Contributed by Breanna Gomez, April 13, 2006.