Health Tip: Get Moving
(HealthDayNews) -- Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 50 percent of American adults don't get enough exercise, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites).
Physical activity usually decreases with age; women, people with lower incomes, and those with less education tend to exercise less.
The CDC says regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease -- the nation's leading cause of death. It also lessens a person's risk for stroke, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.
If that isn't enough to convince you to leave your couch, here's another thought: Physical activity does not need to be strenuous to be beneficial. People of all ages benefit from regular, moderate-intensity physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week.