Americans Are Exercising Less Than Pre-Recessionary Times

July 21, 2011 - PRLog -- American's are lazier than they were before the recession struck - at least that's what a recent Gallup poll indicates if you consider exercise frequency to be a bellwether of  Americans' activity levels. The Gallup poll, which was based on the responses of nearly 180 thousand Americans who were asked to participate over the phone this June, indicated that only 53.4 percent of American adults exercise at least 30 minutes per day three days per week. This figure represents a .9 percent decrease in exercise frequency when compared to the statistics collected in June of 2008 (54.3 percent).

Those aged 65 years or older reported the greatest decrease in physical activity since June of 2008 (-2.5 percent). Nearly 48.4 percent of Americans in this demographic segment reported exercising at least 30 minutes per day three days per week. Those aged 18-29 years reported the greatest increase in physical activity (+1.4 percent). Nearly 56.7 percent of these individuals said they exercised that often or more - the demographic group with the highest reported percentage.

According to the recent poll, the most sedentary demographic segment belonged to the least educated respondents. Only 48 percent of those who had not received more than a high school degree said they exercised at least 90 minutes per week. In comparison, 56.4 percent of postgraduates reported exercising at least this amount. These statistics seem to further indicate the role that education plays in achieving and maintaining healthy exercise habits.

These statistics are alarming, but they are unlikely surprising to many who were already aware that only one state - Colorado - recently reported having an obesity rate of less than 20 percent (19.8 percent). A staggering 12 states reported that more than 30 percent of their population was considered clinically obese (being 30 or more pounds overweight).

There are certainly a slew of variables that are causing America's obesity rate to remain, well, obese. Some of the primary factors that encourage the growth of our girth are our affinity for processed foods and technological masterpieces, which tend to make our lives tastier and easier, yet sicker and more sedentary as a result. It's pretty clear to me what's causing the issues. So, what do we do about them? It won't be a pill that we pop, a new stomach-stapling procedure that we invent or an injection that 'melts the fat away' that will cut the fat. Rather, paradigm shifts need to occur that lead to shifts in behavior (i.e. eating and exercising habits).

What can physicians and other health experts do to help guide our citizens down the path to wellness? One way they can inspire improved health is by maintaining constant contact with their patients between visits, which can be done by their administrative staff or an outsourced solution. Caring for a patient should not stop when the patient walks out the door and only resume when they return. Simply calling patients to see how they are progressing, emailing them motivational testimonials or simple words of encouragement, mailing them letters or sending them text messages that offer incentives to get healthier (like in-office discounts or the chance to win a prize if they maintain a healthy BMI during their next visit) can be easy and terrific solutions to implement.

Ultimately, those leading unhealthy lifestyles must make the change themselves. However, there are steps that can be taken to help inspire them to start and continue to walk (and run) down healthier paths.

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