Wellness,Fitness & longevity Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Wellness,Fitness & longevity - Assignment Example This, coupled with the fact that exercise helps one in maintaining proper body weight and thus avoid the diseases associated with obesity, makes it very easy to understand the importance of a physically active lifestyle. However, exercise is often confused with the term physical activity. One needs to understand that a difference in intensity is what distinguishes the two terms. While exercises are usually vigorous, physical exercises are rather moderate or less intense. An easy way to explain this would be to state the idea that moderate physical activities are the ones during which one can talk without losing their breath. For example, brisk walk and performing waltz are considered as moderate physical activities while in contrast, jogging and aerobics are typical kinds of vigorous exercise (Powers et al, 2003). The guidelines of the amount of physical activity needed by individuals differ with the age group. While children are advised a minimum of an hour long physical activities on a daily basis, young adults are expected to at least perform upto 150 minutes of moderate activities per week (Brown et al, 2010). The guidelines for older adults may go the same way as for the younger ones but their choice of the possible activities is limited due to the aging factor. The 150 minutes per week guideline, but with the activities spread throughout the week, is also advised for women during their pregnancy and postpartum period (Brown et al, 2010). These discussed guidelines were developed after an extensive analysis of scientific research was conducted by the concerned authorities. The purpose of developing them was to help people adopt a healthier lifestyle. Along with the guidelines, another set of comprehensive strategies and practices called the National Physical Activity Plan has also been developed (Brown, Heath & Martin, 2010). It has also helped set objectives related to health for a period of ten years; the most recent one was launched