Proper Nutrition
and Physical Activity:
the REAL Lifesavers
The real lifesavers
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention…
You can reduce your risk
of chronic diseases like cancer, obesity,
diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
just by making healthy nutrition choices
and staying physically
ACTIVE!
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Overweight and obesity, influenced by physical
inactivity and poor diet, are significantly associated
with an increased risk of diabetes, high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, and poor
health status.
13% of high school students are obese (CDC, 2011)
Physical inactivity increases the risk of dying
prematurely, dying of heart disease, and developing
diabetes, colon cancer, and high blood pressure.
CDC, 2008 and 2011
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People who are overweight or obese increase their
risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood
pressure, arthritis-related disabilities, and some
cancers.
Not getting an adequate amount of exercise is
associated with needing more medication, visiting a
physician more often, and being hospitalized more.
The direct medical costs associated with physical
inactivity was nearly $76 billion in 2000 .
•
--CDC
 More
than 90 million Americans live with
chronic illnesses.
 Chronic
diseases account for 70% of all deaths
in the United States.
 Poor
diet and physical inactivity lead to
300,000 deaths each year—second only to
tobacco use.
Healthy eating is associated with reduced risk for many
diseases, including the three leading causes of death:
heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
8% of NC high school students did not eat fruit or drink
fruit juices in the past week during the seven days
before the survey
8% of NC high school students did not eat vegetables
during the seven days before the survey
14% drank a can, bottle or glass of soda three or more
times per day during the seven days before the survey
--CDC, Division of Adolescent and School Health, NC
Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2011
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Heart healthy diets are
lower in total calories,
with less saturated fats,
salt, and meat.
People who eat lots of
whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, low fat dairy
products, fish and
poultry have less heart
disease, cancer and
diabetes.
CDC, 2003
 2011
NC HS Youth Risk Behavior Survey:
• 15% of NC students did not participate in at least
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60 minutes of physical activity on any day
74% did not attend PE classes in an average
week when they were in school
74% did not attend PE classes 5 days in an
average week when they were in school
35% watched television 3 or more hours per day
on an average school day
28% used computers 3 or more hours per day on
an average school day (not including school
work)
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Aerobic activity (cardio) most days of the week
reduces the risks for obesity, diabetes, hypertension,
and stroke
Physical activity also reduces the risk of some cancers
Load bearing exercises (walking) reduces chances of
osteoporosis and fractures
Walkers have fewer colds, less pneumonia and
influenza
Alzheimer’s Disease may be slowed by exercise
 Moderate
activity (Example: 30 minutes
of walking five days a week) has
significant health benefits
 SO….Get
Moving!
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1990, 2000, 2010
(*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)
2000
1990
2010
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC
25%–29%
≥30%
CDC, 2003
Some Wise words to follow…
“The function of protecting
and developing health must
rank even above that of
restoring it when it is
impaired.”
-Hippocrates