Scary Random Facts...Read Them!-
Here are some random facts that I thought were interesting and scary. Definitely read them, and look at the maps of the increase of diabetics and obese people in the United States (at the bottom of the page).
1 in 3 women will have a chance of developing cardiovascular disease ("Heart Disease").
One in five Americans is obese; three in five are either overweight or obese ("Health Risks of Obesity").
Obesity affects more people than smoking, heavy drinking, or poverty ("Health Risks of Obesity").
Obese people account for approximately 67 percent of people that suffer from an increase in chronic conditions. In contrast, the increase for normal-weight daily smokers is only 25 percent; and for normal-weight heavy drinkers, only 12 percent ("Health Risks of Obesity").
It is important to realize that as people slim down, their initial level of physical activity becomes easier and they burn fewer calories per mile of walking or jogging. The rate of weight loss slows down, sometimes discouragingly so, after an initial dramatic head start using diet and exercise combinations. People should be aware of this phenomenon and keep adding to their daily exercise regimen ("Exercise").
The more strenuous the exercise, the longer the metabolism continues to burn calories before returning to its resting level. This state of elevated metabolism can last for as little as a few minutes after light exercise to as long as several hours after prolonged or heavy exercise ("Exercise").
Stretching increases muscle efficiency/effectiveness of movement (improving your overall speed, stamina, and form) by:- Enhancing the ability of muscles to contract/work more powerfully and economically
- Lengthening stride
- Improving your overall form ("Stretching.")
Never bounce when you stretch! It can increase your risk of injury ("Stretching.")
On average, Americans consume 150 pounds of sugar per year, which does not include high fructose corn syrup, the main ingredient in soda and iced teas, which adds another 60 lbs (Leslie, Rachel).
Eat your food and note what you ate, how you felt eating it and how you feel two hours later. This simple exercise done for a week can really help you identify which foods give you energy and which ones make you feel low (Leslie, Rachel).
Large amounts of caffeine use can lead to loss of calcium and potassium which can cause muscle cramping and a delay in recovery after exercise (Leslie, Rachel).
Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces daily, to really get the levels of water you need (Leslie, Rachel).
Ever wonder how much the rates of people with diabetes, or who are over-weight have increased?
The amount of people with diabetes is growing. Take a look at these two maps from the CDC over a 5 year span. Crazy huh?
Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes Trends Among Adults in the United States, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1995
slide95. 18 Jan 2005. Center for Disease Control. 2 Jun 2007 www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/maps/map6.htm.
Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes Trends Among Adults in the United States, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2000
slide00. 18 Jan 2005. Center for Disease Control. 2 Jun 2007<www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/maps/map9.htm.
The increase of over-weight and obese people has sky-rocketed. Just look at the map.
Obesity_map. 25 Nov 2005. Center for Disease Control. 2 Jun 2007 http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/Prevention/obesity.htm.
"Exercise." About. 2007. 3 Jun 2007 http://adam.about.com/reports/000029_6.htm.
"Health Risks of Obesity." Research Highlights. 2002. 3 Jun 2007 http://www.rand.org/congress/health/0602/obesity/rb4549/index.html.
"Heart Disease." Health Square. 2007. 3 Jun 2007 http://www.healthsquare.com/heartdisease.htm .Leslie, Rachel.
"Proper Nutrition for a High Performance Body... Amp Up Your Energy!!" PR. 21 Sep 2006. 3 Jun 2007 http://www.pr.com/article/1052.
"Stretching." Marathon Training. 2007. 3 Jun 2007 <http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_stretch.html>.