Nutrition and Fitness

Nutrition and fitness play two of the most important roles in human health, and it is not difficult to understand some of the consequences for ignoring their significance. Ignoring proper nutritional and fitness habits can lead to extreme health risks such as obesity; most of which will eventually cause serious health issues up to and including death. To decrease these serious health risks and promote favorable personal health, one should incorporate positive nutritional and fitness habits.

The food that we put into our bodies is one of the most vital aspects of promoting good health because it acts as our personal fuel. If the food we consume contains mostly empty calories and few nutrients, our bodies’ performance levels will be far less than standard. Furthermore, if we over consume foods without properly assessing their nutritional value, our bodies will be unable to completely process it, ultimately leading to obesity.

Since the 1980’s obesity rates around the world have risen significantly. In the United States, current statistics indicate that one in every three people is medically obese. This statistic has placed the United States as the second most obese country in the world, next to Mexico. These increasing causes of obesity are linked to the declining national diet and nutritional profile as well as lifestyle trends in these countries. According to experts, community design, lack of physical activity and increasing levels of car use all negatively affect obesity rates. Many modern cities and towns, especially in places like America and Mexico, were constructed in the ‘automobile era.’ This has resulted in fewer walkable communities in the United States, compared to other countries like France and Italy w...

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...10). This high-intensity exercise is very important in my personal weekly exercise regimen. I regularly participate in a few physical activities each week to help keep my personal fitness at a healthy level. Basketball is my primary activity which I participate in three to four times per week. I usually play basketball for two to four hours which is quite healthy according to Dr. Gaesser. In addition to basketball, participate in 90 minutes of Bikram yoga per week and about two hours of weight lifting.

It is very easy to see how and why nutrition and fitness play such important roles in the well-being of the human body. Though many different diseases and health issues can come from a lack of proper diet and lack of exercise, it is amazing how many health matters can be solved and even prevented just through properly balanced nutritional and fitness habits.