Hypokinetic disease affects 70% of the population

January 13, 6:27 AMDisease Prevention ExaminerPeggy Kraus

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Inactive people are sometimes called
"couch potatoes." Photo.

Hypokinetic disease is a disease or condition that is related to or caused by chronic physical inactivity and poor fitness. The term first originated in the book Hypokinetic Disease (Kraus & Raab, 1961).

As unbelievable as it sounds, 70% of our population have some type of hypokinetic disease. Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, and adult onset (type 2) diabetes mellitus are considered hypokinetic diseases.

In spite of the fact that exercise reduces body weight, lowers cholesterol level, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep, improves body image, improves mood and lifts depression, reduces risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis (among others), and reduces the need for many common medications in addition to  countless of other benefits, more than one-third of Americans do not exercise.

Walking is one way to be active.
Photo.

Being physically active is a committment, and being fit requires time and effort.

Think of the time you spend exercising as an investment in your health. Each exercise session is a deposit in your health bank. The more you invest, the greater is the benefit that you reap as you age. The real payout comes as your inacitve same-age-counterparts begin having health problems, and you don't.

People who exercise are generally healthier than people who do not exercise. Period.