Public Health Rep. 1983 Sep-Oct;Suppl:155-67.
The American lifestyle is still relatively sedentary. The proportion of adults aged 18 to 65 regularly exercising has been estimated at just over 35 percent, with children participating in daily physical education programs at 33 percent, and 36 percent of adults over 65 taking regular walks. Though the past decade has exhibited a resurgence of interest in physical fitness and exercise, there is much need for improvement. Awareness of the benefits of regular exercise and what is considered to be appropriate physical activity (e.g., aerobic for cardiovascular conditioning) is limited. Most people do not exercise in the manner necessary to achieve maximum benefits. Further, exercise as a therapeutic regimen has also been largely ignored by health professionals. Although the health benefits accrued from exercise have not been fully assessed, continuing research has suggested that appropriate physical activity can enhance approaches to the treatment and prevention of heart disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, stress, anxiety, and depression. Health and economic benefits are achievable, but there is need for cooperative efforts in the public and private sectors to support research and increase the public's awareness of and participation in regular physical fitness and exercise activities.
美国的生活方式仍然相对缺乏运动。据估计，18至65岁的成年人中经常锻炼的比例略高于35%，参加日常体育教育课程的儿童比例为33%，65岁以上的成年人中有36%定期散步。尽管在过去十年中，人们对身体健康和锻炼的兴趣有所复苏，但仍有很大的改进空间。人们对定期锻炼的益处以及被认为合适的体育活动（如有氧运动对心血管的调节作用）的认识有限。大多数人没有以能获得最大益处的方式进行锻炼。此外，运动作为一种治疗方案在很大程度上也被健康专业人员忽视了。尽管运动所带来的健康益处尚未得到充分评估，但持续的研究表明，适当的体育活动可以改善心脏病、肥胖症、高血压、糖尿病、肌肉骨骼问题、压力、焦虑和抑郁症的治疗和预防方法。健康和经济效益是可以实现的，但需要公共和私营部门共同努力，以支持研究并提高公众对定期健身和锻炼活动的认识及参与度。
