Health&Wellness Magazine October 2015 | Page 37

For advertising information visit www.samplerpublications.com or call 859.225.4466 | October 2015 Take a Walk for Good Health Surgeon General urges Americans to get moving By Dr. Tom Miller, Staff Writer The Centers for Disease Control (Murthy 2015) reports only half of American adults get enough physical activity to reduce the risk of chronic disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Walking is an easy way to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle. U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., aims to increase walking across the nation by calling for access to safe and convenient places to walk and wheelchair roll. This fall, the surgeon general will initiate a national program that encourages children, adolescents, adults and the elderly to develop a plan to increase their efforts at exercise and walking. There are multiple health benefits when walking is added to your daily routine. These may include strengthening the muscles and bones; balancing hormones and lifting your mood; weight loss and management; reducing your chances of stroke; and preventing and managing heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Walking can also ɕ