Monday, January 11, 2010

A 10% decrease in weight is associated with...

Looking for a New Years Resolution that is worth making? Maybe the following my provide some inspiration.

A 10% decrease in weight is associated with .....
(obviously this only applies if you are currently overweight)

↓ >20% total mortality
↓ >30% diabetes-related deaths
↓ >40% obesity related cancer deaths
↓ 10 mmHg systolic BP
↓ 20 mmHg diastolic BP... See More
↓ 50% in fasting blood glucose in newly diagnosed DM
↓ 10% total cholesterol
↓ 15% LDL cholesterol
↓ 30% triglycerides
↑ 8% HDL cholesterol
↓ frequency of sleep apnoea
↓ breathlessness and improves lung function
Improves back and joint pain
Improves ovarian function

And for all you folks out there who have been thinking about breast cancer (thanks to that sophisticated "what colour bra are you wearing?" status updates), did you know that increasing your physical activity can decrease your risk of breast cancer. In fact exercise is astoundingly good at increasing your health, well being and longevity.

Health benefits of physical activity:
(30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most, or preferably all, days of the week.)
  • All-cause mortality risk reduced by 50%
  • Cardiovascular disease risk reduced by up to 50%
  • Hypertension prevention and management
  • Stroke risk reduced by up to 30%
  • Type 2 diabetes prevention (risk reduced by 30–50%) and management
  • Cancer risk (colon, breast) reduced
  • Osteoarthritis management (pain control, maintenance of muscle strength, joint structure and function)
  • Osteoporosis risk reduction
  • Falls risk in the elderly reduced by resistance exercises
  • Weight management and reduction (when combined with dietary changes)
  • Mental illness (anxiety, depression and subjective feelings of stress) prevention and management
Now turn off your computer and go for brisk walk!

(PS the stats are shamelessly cut and pasted from a RACGP online education module I am doing today.)