World Day For Physical Activity

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”- Jim Rohn. The World Day for Physical Activity is observed by the World Health Organization and the International Society for Physical Activity and Health on 6 April. Although the world is currently going through a pandemic this is no excuse for us not to be physically active. Physical inactivity is now identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Physical inactivity levels are increasing in many countries. As a result of an increase in sedentary lifestyles a significant portion of many populations have been diagnosed with major implications for the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The World Health Organization (WHO) states that heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide. Other non-communicable diseases include hypertension which is prevalent in the Jamaican society. According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness physical inactivity in Jamaica accounts for 12% all-cause mortality, contributing to 13% of Breast Cancer, 14% of Colon Cancer, 8% of Coronary Heart Disease and 10% of Type 2 Diabetes. The government has realized the importance physical activity plays in reducing many non-communicable diseases and as a result the Jamaica Moves campaign was launched. Jamaicans are not getting the required amount of physical activity or nutrition in their daily routine to maintain a healthy life. Jamaica Moves is a response to the urgent need to change this. Through education and base level support, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and key private and public sector partners aim to reduce Jamaicans' risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and in turn create a healthier, happier country. Unfortunately, physical education (PE) is not mandatory at the secondary level of Jamaica’s education system. The result has been more and more of our youngsters are now overweight and obese. Sadly, it has become more common to hear of younger folks being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the Jamaican society. What Happens When You Exercise Your temperature rises. Muscles need energy in order to workout, so your body burns calories from the fats and carbohydrates that you eat in a series of chemical reactions that produce heat. Your heart gets stronger. Exercise increases your heart rate and helps pump more blood through your system, which is also what raises your core temperature. Regular exercise makes your heart stronger and more efficient. Over time it reduces your resting heart rate by 5-25 beats per minute. Endorphins are released. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins then interact with the receptors in your brain to reduce your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a happy feeling within your body that are accompanied by a more positive outlook on life. Brain function improves. Getting your heart rate up improves blood flow to the brain, which helps your brain immediately function better. Research has found that exercising increases the size of the hippocampus, which is associated with memory and learning. Therefore, regular exercise helps prevent the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Many of us have busy schedules and the excuse is usually we do not have the time to exercise. The fact is if we do not find the time to exercise then the non-communicable diseases will find us. It is recommended that we all need at least 30 minutes of physical activity. Being physically active does not mean going to a gym and spending thousands of dollars on gym fees. Perhaps you can walk around the block in which you live. Maybe you can purchase some weights or a skipping rope and do some exercises at the back of your yard. You can also use the furniture in your home to exercise. We have to think out of the box regarding exercising especially as we continue to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. Is your health and life worth 30 minutes? On this World Day of Physical Activity let us recommit ourselves to get physically active in order to live healthier and longer lives. In the words of John F. Kennedy, physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo #WorldPhysicalActivityDay ©