Blog Post #4 – How has society made getting adequate nutrition and physical activity less of a priority over the years? How does a sedentary lifestyle affect mental health?

Inquiry Question:

Round 2 research question: How has society made getting adequate nutrition and physical activity less of a priority over the years? How does a sedentary lifestyle affect mental health?

Exercise serves as an extremely powerful enhancer of physiological, mental, and physical well-being. (1) While promoting health and longevity, moderate physical activity has been shown to stave off osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, allowing one to flourish in every area of their life. (1) Additionally, it can enhance social confidence and behaviours such as goal orientation, and self-accountability that generally carry over into every individuals personal and professional lives. (1) Long periods of sedentary behaviours including lack of movement in occupation, or simply being propped up on the couch can pose serious health detriments to the human mind and body. (1) Health-related behaviour in childhood is largely found to be the same in adulthood, making the prospect of teaching children how to take care of themselves early on a vital aspect of living a long, healthy life into adulthood. (1) Effective movement patterns in childhood should be catered to each individual child’s fine motor skills for their age, along with what they enjoy in terms of movement that will keep their energy levels stable. (1)

Even small adjustment to one’s everyday routine has the potential to drastically benefit their overall health. (2) A sedentary lifestyle is classified as six or more hours sitting or laying down per day. (2) This takes the form of office jobs, consecutive days solely spent lounging around; essentially a lack of blood flow throughout the body in the form of movement. (2) Sleeplessness, fatigue, as well as joint aches and pains are increasingly observed among individuals who lack physical activity, making this a potent issue in modern day society. (2) Incorporating movement via household chores or planned exercise, investing in ergonomic office supplies, and scheduling essential break time is super important for those that would like to combat the negative health effects that come with a lack of movement. (2) Better health outcomes are just some thought and careful planning away, with making movement a part of your daily routine a guaranteed way to reap the mood-boosting benefits throughout your entire day. (2)

271 healthy adults were measured for sedentary time via arm bands that tracked metrics such as stress, mood and sleep at the baseline; and then again one year later. (3) Results indicated that an overall reduction in sedentary time throughout the year was associated with a marked decrease in stress, better sleep, and stable mood. (3) Subsequently, diminishing sedentary time by just 60 minutes each day was where the most profound results were shown in mood stabilization. (3) Increased physical exertion was matched with better overall sleep quality and duration. (3) These findings greatly outline the benefits of physical activity, even if done in small bouts throughout the day. (3) Overall, it contributes to the increasing data on the positive affects of exercise on all aspects of overall health and bodily function. (3)

Unsurprisingly regular physical activity is also associated with the prevention of non-communicable diseases and potential health detriments such as heart disease, heart attack, stroke, etc. (4) The beauty of the concept of physical activity is that it can take the form of various types; walking, cycling, sports, gym and much more. (4) This is often cited as free for customization regardless of physical ability, age or range of movement. (4) House chores, or even jobs requiring physical exertion are also great subtle additions to your Total Daily Energy Expenditure and physical health. (4) Despite the endless benefits, 1 in 4 adults and 81% of adolescents are meeting the required physical activity minimum to ensure a healthy mind and body. (4) Economic development in the majority of countries is responsible for this as automation has decreased natural amounts of physical activity by a whopping 70%. (4)

The common vision envisions a Canada where everyone is openly able to participate in physical activity regardless of age, ethnicity, or socio-economic standing. (5) It is a collective approach aimed at emphasizing the importance of this subject matter for prevention of chronic disease and pre-mature death. (5) Calls to action are as follows; shifting societal norms for a more inclusive and unbiased society, reducing the stigma around which body types should and shouldn’t be labeled as fit. (5) Creating public space that allows for physical activity. (5) Increasing social awareness about supporting an uptick in physical activity. (5) Fostering partnerships across multiple sectors to continue the spread of positive benefits worldwide. (5)

All in all, living a sedentary lifestyle is increasingly considered a health concern that is seemingly creeping upon the masses. (6) By implementing lifestyle changes, one is able to foster a life free of preventable pain and suffering, with the understanding that taking care of whats on the inside can be achieved by moving this vessel called our body from the outside. (6)

References

1. Harold W. Kohl, I. I. I., et al. ‘Physical Activity and Physical Education: Relationship to Growth, Development, and Health’. Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School, National Academies Press (US), 2013. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK201497/.
2. Votel, Kaitlyn. ‘Health Risks of a Sedentary Lifestyle and How to Make Changes’. HealthPartners Blog, 3 June 2022, https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/health-risks-of-sedentary-lifestyle/.
3. Ellingson, Laura D., et al. ‘Changes in Sedentary Time Are Associated with Changes in Mental Wellbeing over 1 year in Young Adults’. Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 11, July 2018, pp. 274–81. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.07.013.
4. Physical Activity. https://www.who.int/health-topics/physical-activity. Accessed 10 May 2024.
5. Canada, Public Health Agency of. A Common Vision for Increasing Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Living in Canada: Let’s Get Moving. 31 May 2018, https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/lets-get-moving.html.
6. Sedentary Lifestyle: Effects, Solutions, and Statistics. 29 Aug. 2018, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322910.