(ARA) - The prevalence of obesity has increased markedly in the last two decades in the United States; currently two out of every three Americans is either overweight or obese. Furthermore, 300,000 deaths each year are associated with obesity, which puts it second on the list of preventable deaths, behind smoking. Obesity and being overweight are associated with heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, breathings problems and psychological disorders such as depression.
Obesity in America has a direct correlation to lack of proper aerobic exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 23 percent of adults in the United States report regular, vigorous physical activity that involves large muscle groups in dynamic movement for 20 minutes or longer three or more days per week. Only 15 percent of adults report physical activity for five or more days per week for 30 minutes or longer, and another 40 percent do not participate in any regular physical activity. These numbers are far too low.
Physical activity is important in preventing and treating weight problems and obesity and is extremely helpful in maintaining weight loss, especially when combined with healthy eating. Regular exercise has proven to provide several benefits: it helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have hypertension, lowers the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus, reduces the risk of developing colon cancer, helps people achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, reduces feelings of depression and anxiety, promotes psychological well-being and reduces feelings of stress, helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, reduces the risk of having a second heart attack in people who have already had one heart attack, lowers both total blood cholesterol and triglycerides and increases high-density lipoproteins (HDL or the "good" cholesterol) and lowers the risk of developing high blood pressure.
The closer we look at the health risks associated with a lack of physical activity, the more convincing it is that Americans who are not yet regularly physically active should become active. It is recommended that Americans accumulate at least 30 minutes (adults) or 60 minutes (children) of moderate physical activity most days of the week. 43 percent of adolescents watch more than two hours of television each day. One good way to get your recommended aerobic activity is in-line skating. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association, 19.2 million people skated in 2003, making it one of the most popular fitness activities in America.
"In-line skating is a great way to get fit while having fun," says Nicholas Skally of Rollerblade. "As one of the top aerobic activities, in-line skating burns approximately 350 calories in a 30-minute workout while producing less than half the shock and impact to joints when compared with other physical activities."
One recommended fitness skate is the Rollerblade Aero 9. The Aero 9 incorporates a completely new closure system, the Total Fit System. Rollerblade created this revolutionary closure system that makes putting the skate on quick and effortless, while fitting more precisely than possible with laces or buckles. The system also enables an exact fit every time, by adjusting to the contours of your foot. Pulling on the TFS cord wraps the upper of the skate around the contours of your foot.
For more information on the fitness benefits of skating, tips for beginning skaters, or the new line of fitness and recreation skates by Rollerblade, Inc., visit: www.rollerblade.com. For a Rollerblade, Inc. dealer in your area, call (800) 323-roll or visit the "dealer finder" on the Rollerblade Web site.
