- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Traffic, Dust Linked to Asthma in Kids
- Using Music and Sports to Improve Kids' Asthma
- Molecule in Skin May Link Eczema and Asthma
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Quit Smoking the Holistic Way
- Yoga May Bring Calm to Breast Cancer Treatment
- U.S. Spends Billions On Alternative Medicine
- ANIMAL CARE
- Rest Easy. When It Comes to Swine Flu, Your Pet Is Safe
- Beware of Dog Bites
- Safe Toys for Dogs
- BONES & JOINTS
- Put Your Best Foot Forward Next Year
- Rheumatoid Arthritis May Harm Gums
- Get in Step With Summer Foot Care
- CANCER
- Meditation May Reduce Stress in Breast Cancer Patients
- Immune Therapy May Aid Kids With Neuroblastoma
- Well Water Might Raise Bladder Cancer Risk
- CAREGIVING
- Flu Strikes a Milder Blow This Season
- Babies Born in High Pollen Months at Wheezing Risk
- ER Less Likely to Diagnose Stroke in Younger Folks
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- High Blood Fat Levels Common in Americans
- Anemia Rates Down for U.S. Women and Children
- Bad Marriages Harder on Women's Health
- COSMETIC
- What to Do If You Have Unsightly Veins
- Mouse Study Finds Molecule That Tells Hair to Grow
- Wrinkle Fillers Need Better Label Warnings: FDA Panel
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Obesity Boosts Gum Disease Risk
- Hormones May Be to Blame for Women's Cavity Rates
- An Oral Approach to Heart Disease
- DIABETES
- Doctors Urged to Screen Diabetics for Sleep Apnea
- Patients' Photos Help Boost Radiologists' Accuracy
- Older Diabetics With Depression Face Higher Death Rate
- DIET, NUTRITION
- Myrrh May Lower High Cholesterol
- Eating More Soy May Be Good For Your Lung Function
- Weight Loss Might Not Curb Knee Arthritis
- DISABILITIES
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Agent Orange Exposure Tied to Prostate Cancer Return
- Small Doses of Carbon Monoxide Might Help Stroke Victims
- FDA Faulted for Stance on Chemical in Plastics
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Guard Kids' Eyes Against Long-Term Sun Damage
- Florida Vision Test Law: Fewer Traffic Deaths Among Elderly
- 'Blind' Man Navigates Obstacle Course Without Error
- FITNESS
- Vigorous Treadmill Workout Curbs Appetite Hormones
- Fitness Fades Fast After 45
- Barefoot Best for Running?
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- Soothing Imagery May Help Rid Some Kids of Stomach Pain
- Intestinal Bacteria Trigger Immune Response
- Japanese Herbals May Ease Gastro Woes
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Hidden Salt in Diet Haunts Many With Heart Failure
- Eating Well And Keeping Active As You Grow Old Will Help You Stay Sharp
- Uncover Why Turmeric Helps You Heal
- HEAD & NECK
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- Imaging Sheds Light on How Acupuncture Works
- Using Light Therapy to Silence Harmful Brain Activity
- The Internet Is Becoming One-Stop Shopping for Health Help
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Laughter Can Boost Heart Health
- Kids With Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Heart Trouble
- Omega-3, Some Omega-6 Fatty Acids Boost Cardiovascular Health
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Swine Flu Closes Three Schools in NYC
- Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away
- Poor Restroom Cleaning Causes Cruise-Ship Sickness
- KID'S HEALTH
- Time to Remind Teens About Sun Protection
- Traffic, Dust Linked to Asthma in Kids
- Babies Who Eat Fish Lower Eczema Risk
- MEN'S HEALTH
- Varicose Veins May Mask Larger Problem
- Physical Activity May Prolong Survival After Colon Cancer
- Low Vitamin D Levels May Boost Men's Heart Attack Risk
- MENTAL HEALTH
- Teen Internet Addicts More Likely to Self-Harm: Study
- Vitamin C Protects Some Elderly Men From Bone Loss
- Living Alone Increases Odds of Developing Dementia
- PREGNANCY
- Calcium Supplements Cut Blood Lead Levels During Pregnancy
- Prenatal Stress May Boost Baby's Asthma Risk
- Woman in America Are Delaying Motherhood, Study Says
- SENIORS
- Community Exercise Programs Boost Seniors' Strength
- Want Better Health in the New Year, Add Exercise to Your Day
- Older Adults May Have Some Immunity to Swine Flu
Exercise 30 Minutes a Day? Who Knew!
By eHolistic.com Published: 09/30/2009
(HealthDay News) -- Despite 14 years of public education campaigns, only one-third of Americans know about national recommendations for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day, and fewer than half meet that goal, a new study has found.
The lack of awareness is greatest among men, the unemployed and people born in the United States, the researchers said. Their finding came from an analysis of data from 2,381 people who took part in the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey.
One reason why efforts to spread the message about physical activity are having limited success is the "highly generalized, saturating effect of media in the current environment," the authors wrote. "Through varied sources, many are bombarded with multiple physical activity and general health promotion 'recommendations' that may be challenging to differentiate."
A report on the study is in the October issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Since 1995, the U.S. government and national organizations have used radio, TV, print publications and the Internet to make Americans aware they should be doing at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.
If more people followed the recommendations, it could help reduce rates of chronic health problems, said the study's lead author, Gary Bennett, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University.
"Physical activity is important for protecting against a large number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, some cancer, diabetes, even some cognitive disorders," Bennett said in a Duke news release. "So the physical activity recommendations are extremely important to help increase awareness among the American population about the amount of physical activity that is necessary to reduce the risk of developing these diseases," he added.
"We've seen a lot of discussion about prevention in health-care reform debates over the last few months, and it's becoming clear that increasing physical activity among Americans may, in the long run, reduce some of the major costs that burden our health-care system," Bennett said.
SOURCES: Duke University, news release, Sept. 24, 2009
