Physical Fitness Essay

If you are physically fit, you are free from illness, and able to function efficiently and effectively, to enjoy leisure, and to cope with emergencies. Physical fitness can be achieved through a variety of means. The object of any program of physical fitness is to maximize an individual 's health, strength, endurance, and skill relative to age, sex, body build, and physiology. This can be accomplished through exercise, rest, diet and periodic medical examinations. Physical fitness also refers to an individuals mental state as well. Mental fitness can only be achieved if your body is functioning well (Kent, 1). Physical fitness has numerous benefits. The first benefit is physical fitness controls weight. It helps prevent excess weight gain or help increase weight loss. When you engage in physical

Research shows, incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, over weight and obesity, elevated blood pressure and lipid levels, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer is increased by unhealthy lifestyles. Multiple lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity, excessive intake of calories, sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products, are etiologically related to the development of these diseases. A helpful way to protect your body from these diseases is follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. This diet is high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol. It meets each of the major nutrient recommendations that were established by the Institute of Medicine (Elmer, 485). A research study shows that individuals who followed the DASH diet improved their hypertensive state which also decrease their risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses (Elmer 493). Overall. physical fitness protects you from illness and