How can physical activity facilitate a sustainable future? Reducing obesity and chronic disease

Abstract

This review examines the ways in which physical activity can contribute to a sustainable future by addressing significant public health issues. The review begins by identifying obesity and ageing as two major challenges facing societies around the world due to the association of both with the risk of chronic disease. Recent developments in the understanding and treatment of obesity are examined followed by an appraisal of the role of exercise alone and in combination with other therapies in preventing and managing obesity. The review then addresses the interaction between exercise and appetite due to the central role appetite plays in the development of overweight and obesity. The final section of the review examines the potential of physical activity to combat age-related chronic disease risk including CVD, cancer and dementia. It is concluded that while bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy are the most effective treatments for severe obesity, physical activity has a role to play facilitating and enhancing weight loss in combination with other methods. Where weight/fat reduction via exercise is less than expected this is likely due to metabolic adaptation induced by physiological changes facilitating increased energy intake and decreased energy expenditure. Physical activity has many health benefits independent of weight control including reducing the risk of developing CVD, cancer and dementia and enhancing cognitive function in older adults. Physical activity may also provide resilience for future generations by protecting against the more severe effects of global pandemics and reducing greenhouse gas emissions via active commuting.

La presencia de mitos relacionados con la Actividad Física y el Deporte en estudiantes del ciclo formativo de grado medio y superior (The presence of misconceptions related to physical activity and sport in non university higher education students)

“…Merece la pena resaltar que, aunque cualquier forma de actividad física está relacionada con la prevención de enfermedades (p.ej. trastornos metabólicos, cáncer y trastornos del estado de ánimo) (Stensel, 2023;Wang & Ashokan, 2021), la dosis adecuada va a ser un factor clave para evitar posibles riesgos relacionados con la actividad física (Yang et al, 2017). Con respecto a la diferencia entre cursos o niveles formativos en los mitos, se observa una progresión coherente con la disminución del grado de error, fruto de un nivel formativo superior, de manera coincidente con lo encontrado por Díaz & Gómez-Mármol (2017) en estudiantes de secundaria, donde se afirma que los resultados presentan una mejora a medida que el estudiante avanza de curso.…”

Increasing the Level of Physical Activity Intensity with Child-Designed Games and Creativity of 6-8 Year-Olds during Gymnastics Lessons in Physical Education

“…Engaging in higher levels od activity can help support their physical development and improve their overall health and well-being (Britton et al, 2023;García-Hermoso et al, 2020). Children who engage in regular PA have stronger bones and muscles (Deng et al, 2023;Skinner et al, 2023), improved cardiovascular health (Cao et al, 2023), and a lower risk of developing chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease (Carriedo & Cecchini, 2023;Denova-Gutiérrez et al, 2023;Stensel, 2023;Su et al, 2023). Higher levels of PA in children aged 6-8 may also enhance their cognitive development, as evidenced by shown in improved memory, attention, and academic performance (Lin et al, 2023;Luo et al, 2023;.…”