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Produced by Communications and Marketing, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2009
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion,
age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University,
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Mark A. McCann, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech,
Blacksburg; Alma C. Hobbs, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
PUBLICATION 348-250
Physical Activity…
A healthy habit for Life!
Debra S. Jones, Extension specialist, Virginia State University
Years ago staying active was not an is-
sue. But today, in our world of technol-
ogy and new conveniences, most of the
physical activity has been taken out of
our lives. Most Americans (about 60%)
no longer break a sweat on a daily ba-
sis. This lack of physical activity is hav-
ing a profoundly negative effect on the
health of children and adults.
“The good news…is that people can benefit from even
moderate levels of physical activity.”
Surgeon General of the United States.
Scientists recently looked at the underlying causes of
all of the deaths in the United States in 2002 (excluding
genetic causes). They found that a combination of lack
of exercise and poor dietary habits was the second larg-
est underlying cause of death, with smoking being the
largest. Regular physical activity could prevent dis-
ease or improve the health of Americans who suffer
from the following illnesses:
• 61 million people (one-fourth of the population)
have cardiovascular disease.
• 16 million people have adult-onset (non–insulin-
dependent) diabetes.
• 140,000 people diagnosed with colon cancer each
year.
• 50 million people have high blood pressure.
• Over 57 percent of adults are overweight or obese.
Physical Activity for Good Health
The best reason to routinely include physical activity
in your everyday life is that you genuinely want to
improve your health and fitness. Most Americans are
surprised at the amount of evidence that links regular
physical activity to health improvement. Regular
physical activity improves health in the following
ways:
Reduces the risk of premature death:
Low physical fitness = a shorter life span