Get fit and beat heart disease (From Bournemouth Echo)

Get fit and beat heart disease

8:00am Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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SEVEN in every ten women and six in ten men in the UK are not active enough to achieve health benefits, according to new research by the health club chain Everyone Active.

Being more active includes everyday things like walking to the shops, playing with the kids, running upstairs or better still visiting your local leisure centre and trying swimming, group exercise or visiting the gym. All these activities will improve your health and happiness.

Children and young people need to be active for at least an hour every day, either through active play, sport or walking to and from school.

Health experst warn that reduced or no physical activity can have serious health consequences.

Even a little bit of activity can lower the risk of developing major chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, some cancers and type two diabetes, by up to 50 per cent. It can also cut the risk of premature death by about 20 per to 30 per cent.

Any activity is better than no activity. Experts agree 30 minutes of activity five times a week is the best way to achieve benefits including better health, more energy, reduced stress, stronger bones, better balance, strength, suppleness and mobility and improved sleep and improved body shape, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight.

Visit everyoneactive.com for details of your nearest centre.