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Exercise therapy – the public health message
Author(s) -
Blair S. N.,
Sallis R. E.,
Hutber A.,
Archer E.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2012.01462.x
Subject(s) - medicine , public health , obesity , psychological intervention , epidemiological transition , disease , sedentary lifestyle , non communicable disease , epidemiology , diabetes mellitus , global health , gerontology , environmental health , nursing , endocrinology
Non‐communicable chronic diseases ( NCDs ), such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, are currently responsible for 65% of all deaths worldwide and are projected to cause over 75% of all deaths by 2030. A substantial accumulation of epidemiological and experimental evidence has established a causal relationship between NCDs and well‐known yet preventable risk factors (e.g., physical inactivity and obesity). Given that physical activity has both direct and indirect effects on the mortality and morbidity of NCDs via other risk factors (e.g., obesity, diabetes, and hypertension), it is now undeniable that sedentary lifestyles are one of the most significant public health problems of the 21st century. In 2007, the A merican C ollege of S ports M edicine ( ACSM ) and A merican M edical A ssociation ( AMA ) launched the E xercise is M edicine® ( EIM ) initiative in recognition of the fundamental importance of physical activity to health and well‐being. EIM is on the forefront of a global movement to reduce sedentary lifestyles, foster implementation of exercise counseling into clinical practice, and disseminate exercise therapy on a global scale. If the devastating human losses and financial burden of inactivity‐induced chronic disease are to be ameliorated, the wide‐ranging cost‐effective health benefits and financial feasibility of physical activity interventions must be appreciated and promoted.