Alternative Ways to Avoid Obesity
Fun activities for a healthy lifestyle
by Elizabeth Olson
The United States National Center for Health Statistics released a report in 2008 indicating that almost 73% of Americans are overweight, obese, or extremely obese. Even more disturbing are results showing that the percentage of overweight or obese Americans 20 years and older rose from 23% to 34% between 1980 and 2006. The NCHS has announced a new objective to reduce U.S. obesity to 15% by 2010. Engaging in sports and incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle can help diminish the prevalence of obesity and help the NCHS reach its goal. The following list includes fun indoor and outdoor activities to avoid weight gain without having to go to the gym, according to the weather.
| Cold Weather Activities | Calories Burned per hour* |
|---|
| Snow shoeing | 563 |
| Ice skating | 493 |
| Cross-country skiing | 563 |
| Downhill skiing | 422 |
| Shoveling snow | 422 |
| Warm Weather Activities | |
|---|
| Kayaking | 352 |
| Swimming | 422 |
| Gardening | 352 |
| Tennis | 493 |
| Anytime Activities | |
|---|
| Take the stairs instead of the elevator | 563 |
| Adventure vacation
| varies |
| Rock climbing | 700 |
| Yoga | 298 |
| Set up an exercise program on the Wii Fit | varies |
* Calories burned per hour for moderate activity of persons that weigh 155 lbs.
Information Please® Database, © 2009 Pearson
Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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