Source: PHIT America
SILVER SPRING, MD – April 22, 2015 – Physical inactivity in America has reached a record high. Nearly 30 percent of the current U.S. population is not engaged in any kind of exercise. According to recently released figures from the Physical Activity Council this week, 82.7 million Americans are now leading totally stationary and sedentary lives. America’s ‘Inactivity Pandemic’ is the real deal.
“The results of this study are sad, eye-opening and far reaching. First, this means 82 million Americans did not participate once in the past year in any of the 104 activities tracked by the Physical Activity Council. And, the percentage has grown to an all-time high of 28.3%. It is more and more obvious that Americans are becoming couch potatoes and not participating in any physical activity. The health impacts of inactivity are far reaching and will affect our country’s health long term,” says Jim Baugh, Founder of PHIT America.
Recent research shows the tremendous consequences of inactivity:
- Inactivity Is Deadly: In a study of 330,000 people over 13 years, twice as many people died prematurely from inactivity versus obesity
- Sitting Is the New Smoking: In the USA, more people are dying of inactivity today than smoking
- High Risk of Disease: 80% of adolescents are at high risk of disease from failing to do the recommended amounts of physical activity
People Are Moving Their Fingers, But Not Their Bodies
There is no question that more and more Americans are hooked on using electronic devices. Cameron Jacobs, a millennial who is also the PHIT America Manager of Research and Social Media, sees it first-hand.
"My peers are addicted to being on their smart phones and remaining connected around the clock,” comments Jacobs. “They stay sedentary all day at work in front of their various screens and then get home to get right back in front of a screen whether it be their laptop, tablet, or phone. The trend with children is even more alarming. We have a whole generation who is not conditioned to be active. If you think our health care expenses are bad now, just wait."
In the next month, PHIT America will be divulging the trends with youth inactivity and exposing which activities are growing and which ones are not.
PHIT America is increasing its efforts more than ever to get Americans more active, fit and healthy. This summer and fall, PHIT America is giving out grants to school-based programs throughout the USA to jump start active lifestyles for 5-12 year olds. You can learn more about this program here. PHIT America is increasing its education and communications, especially to parents. Later this year, PHIT America will have a 30-minute documentary on the ‘Inactivity Pandemic,’ its ramifications, and solutions to get America ‘off the couch’ and active.
And, finally, PHIT America is pushing pro-activity federal legislation (PEP Program and the PHIT Act), which helps adults and children increase physical activity.
But, Americans must do much more. PHIT America is outreaching to everyone -- all Americans, local sport or fitness ambassadors, and companies -- to join the PHIT America Alliance.
“Too many people and companies are sitting on the sidelines. This ‘Inactivity Pandemic’ and health care crisis is only going to get worse. The electronics industry is going to continue to develop and promote more fun sedentary devices and tools. We have to work harder together to
promote fun, physical activity programs much more aggressively. Just go to www.JoinPHITAmerica.org to learn how you can get involved,” says Baugh.
Founded in January 2013, PHIT America (www.phitamerica.org) is a non-profit campaign focused on overcoming the severe ramifications of the ‘Inactivity Pandemic’ through three strategic approaches – education, supporting school-based activity programs, and advocating – which will get Americans, especially our youth, more active, fit and healthy.
For more information about PHIT America, visit www.PHITAmerica.org.
