Too little exercise is more dangerous than smoking, diabetes and heart disease

Lack of fitness: unhealthier than smoking, diabetes and heart disease

Health experts repeatedly point out how useful it is to overcome the inner bastard and to move regularly. For those who are not physically active have a higher risk of numerous diseases. How great this danger actually is, has now been shown in a study by American researchers. Accordingly, lack of fitness is unhealthier than smoking, diabetes and heart disease.

Many people do not move enough

Only recently, a World Health Organization (WHO) study has been published, in which the dramatic extent of global unsportsmanship has shown: almost one in three moves too little. Even the majority of Germans are moaning. According to experts, just four out of ten people in this country are moving enough. There are enough good reasons for regular physical activities. Lack of exercise can increase the risk of various diseases. How big the risk of lack of fitness can be, has now been shown in a study by American scientists.

Those who have been sufficiently physically operated have a significantly lower risk of developing serious illnesses. By lack of fitness, however, the risk of death increases enormously, as shown in a new study. (Image: luckybusiness / fotolia.com)

Increased mortality rate

That little exercise is unhealthy is nothing new. But how problematic it really is, if one does not operate sufficiently physically, shows a study, which was carried out by experts of the US Cleveland Clinic.

According to the research published in JAMA Network Open, lack of fitness significantly increases the risk of dying from smoking, diabetes and heart disease.

Study author Dr. Wael Jaber called the results "extremely surprising." He said to the news channel "CNN", "Unfit on a treadmill or in a stress test has a worse prognosis in terms of death than if you are hypertensive, diabetic or smoker".

"We've never seen anything so pronounced and so objective."

According to the cardiologist, "unsportsmanlike behavior should be seen as a risk factor" such as "high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking - if not more than any of them."

And: "It should be treated like a disease against which there is a recipe called movement".

Benefits in all age groups and in both sexes

To reach their conclusions, the researchers examined data from 122,007 patients who performed treadmill tests at the Cleveland Clinic between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 2014, to measure total mortality associated with the benefits of exercise and fitness.

As reported by "CNN," the benefits of exercise were seen by all ages and genders, "probably a little more pronounced in women," Jaber said.

Shocking, considering the risks of those who do not move much.

"We all know that a sedentary lifestyle or unsportsmanlike conduct carries a degree of risk. But I am surprised that they even outperform such strong risk factors as smoking, diabetes or even terminal disease. "

According to the researchers, study participants who did not move much were five times more likely to die during the study period. With mediocre fitness, the mortality rate was still one and a half times higher.

By the way, according to the study authors, fitness has a positive effect on health at any age.

"Whether you're in your 40s or 80s, you'll benefit in the same way," said Jaber.

It can not be enough fitness

In addition, the study showed that the concern that "ultra" exercisers might have a higher risk of death is unjustified.

"There is no level of exercise or fitness that puts you at risk," says Jaber. "We can see from the study that the super sports still have a lower mortality rate."

Dr. Satjit Bhusri, a cardiologist who was not involved in the study, said this reinforces what we know.

"Sedentary western lifestyles have led to a higher incidence of heart disease, and this shows that it is changeable. It's reversible, "said the physician from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York opposite" CNN. ".

For patients, especially those who have a sedentary lifestyle, according to Jaber, "You should ask for a prescription from your doctor for exercise." (Ad)