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Exercise reduces risk of chronic disease
Health care practitioners rarely measure or ask about a patient’s physical activity during annual wellness exams. But they should.
A new study from the University of Iowa suggests that because a lack of exercise is known to increase risk for many chronic diseases and early death, asking about exercise should be as routine for practitioners as slipping on a blood pressure cuff. In fact, the study suggests that measuring physical activity should be treated like a vital sign.
Over 7,000 patients at the university’s Health Care Medical Center participated in a survey asking about their physical activity.
The results were telling: Those who exercised at least 150 minutes per week — roughly the amount recommended for good health — had a significantly lower risk of developing 19 chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and an array of respiratory diseases.
On the flip side, those who reported little to no exercise were at a higher risk of developing these conditions.
Only 4% of those examined said they get no exercise whatsoever.
The study’s findings highlight a simple but impactful takeaway: Exercise reduces the risk of chronic illness.
The study’s recommendations include that health care practitioners prescribe exercise and dietary counseling to low-activity patients. They note that insurance companies frequently approve payments for exercise counseling services.
In short, the research not only emphasizes the importance of exercise, but calls for a proactive approach to improving patient health — even if it’s by asking one question at a time.
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By UF Health
5
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Health care practitioners rarely measure or ask about a patient’s physical activity during annual wellness exams. But they should.
A new study from the University of Iowa suggests that because a lack of exercise is known to increase risk for many chronic diseases and early death, asking about exercise should be as routine for practitioners as slipping on a blood pressure cuff. In fact, the study suggests that measuring physical activity should be treated like a vital sign.
Over 7,000 patients at the university’s Health Care Medical Center participated in a survey asking about their physical activity.
The results were telling: Those who exercised at least 150 minutes per week — roughly the amount recommended for good health — had a significantly lower risk of developing 19 chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and an array of respiratory diseases.
On the flip side, those who reported little to no exercise were at a higher risk of developing these conditions.
Only 4% of those examined said they get no exercise whatsoever.
The study’s findings highlight a simple but impactful takeaway: Exercise reduces the risk of chronic illness.
The study’s recommendations include that health care practitioners prescribe exercise and dietary counseling to low-activity patients. They note that insurance companies frequently approve payments for exercise counseling services.
In short, the research not only emphasizes the importance of exercise, but calls for a proactive approach to improving patient health — even if it’s by asking one question at a time.