About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Preparing a Meal Appears to be the Most Common 'Moderate' Activity in US

by Savitha C Muppala on September 16, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Font : A-A+

 Preparing a Meal Appears to be the Most Common 'Moderate' Activity in US

Most Americans do not take part in moderate or vigorous activity to manage their weight; and even if they did, the most common moderate activity was preparing a meal.

Those are two key findings of a study published Wednesday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Advertisement

For the study, researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana analyzed data collected between 2003 and 2008 from nearly 80,000 respondents for a nationwide survey in which Americans were asked what activities they did in the preceding 24 hours.

Only 5.07 percent of Americans reported doing any vigorous-intensity activity like running, while at the other end of the scale, more than 95 percent said they had engaged in the highly sedentary activity of eating and drinking.
Advertisement

The next most common activity was another sedentary one -- watching television or a movie, which eight in 10 Americans did.

The "most frequently reported moderate activities were food and drink preparation (25.7 percent), followed by lawn, garden, and houseplant care (10.6 percent)," the study said.

Lead author of the study Catrine Tudor-Locke said knowing what kind of activities Americans do "can inform intervention strategies aimed at improving energy balance," or the balance of calories consumed by eating and drinking compared to calories burned through physical activity.

A separate study published last month in the same medical journal found that Americans' overall lifespans and the years they live in good health have been slashed as the percentage of obese adults has shot up.

In 16 years, the obesity rate in the United States soared by 90 percent, from 14 percent in 1993 to 27 percent two years ago, that study found.

It also found a strong correlation between modifiable lifestyle choices, such as a lack of physical activity, and the rising burden of obesity.

Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Lifestyle News

Lose Weight for Your Heart's Sake
Is losing weight good for your heart? Yes,following an intensive behavioral weight loss program and making healthy lifestyle changes can help you lose weight and boost heart health
Prejuvenation can Help You Say Goodbye to Aging Skin
Prejuvenation could be the new skincare trend for anti-aging. Let's stay prejuvenated to stay young forever.
Walk a Mile to Get Rid of Blood Clots
Want to prevent blood clots? Then, start walking a mile for just 15 minutes every day to keep Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) at bay.
 Choosing The Right Shoe Can Keep You Healthy
An expert emphasizes the importance of choosing the right footwear for a healthy life and shares insights on selecting the right shoes for optimal overall well-being.
Power of Parental Bonds: Strong Relationships Linked to Better Health for Young Adults!
Strong parental relationships improve long-term health outcomes in adolescents, according to a new study.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Preparing a Meal Appears to be the Most Common 'Moderate' Activity in US Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests