Monday, July 03, 2006
Tracking the trends: a look at how fitness centers are impacted by health and social factors
Trends in fitness centers tend to fluctuate based on social and health trends in the communities they serve. Therefore, it becomes necessary to pinpoint what these trends might be before planning a new facility or renovating an existing one. Recently, Illinois and Wisconsin park and recreation agencies surveyed their communities and found out some interesting statistics. The survey looked at physical attributes, as well as featured amenities and services of the fitness center.
Health and Social Factors
Currently, our society is dealing with a number of health-related issues, which are all important factors that fitness facility operators bring to attention by better serving their clientele. Currently, the U.S. is showing a trend of physical inactivity paired with increasing rates of obesity. Americans are becoming older and are more consumed by stress and concerns over money.
According to recent studies, the majority of Americans, about 55 percent, do not get the recommended amount of exercise to promote good health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days, or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three or more days a week.
In addition, The Journal of the American Medical Association cites that nearly one-third of Americans are obese and roughly another third are overweight. The CDC reports that obesity is the fastest growing health problem in the United States and is second only to smoking. About only half of 12- to 21-year-olds engage in regular, vigorous physical activity. As a result, childhood obesity rates have more than doubled since the early 1970s.
According to Mediamark Research's Teen Intelligence Report, teens are stressed because of their schoolwork, lack of sleep and not having enough spending money. A 2004 Harris poll found that adults are stressed about the economy and their jobs.
Looking to the future, the first baby boomers turn 65 in 2010 and typically are reported to feel 12 years younger than their age, according to the Southeastern Institute of Research. This age group is active and wants programs that aid them in maintaining youthful spirit, mind and body.
Common Breast Cancer Myths
The first myth pertaining to this disease is that it only affects women.
Second myth that is associated with this disease is that if one has found a lump during an examination, it is cancer.
Third is that it is solely hereditary
The next myth associated with breast cancer is downright ridiculous. Would you believe, that in this day and age, some individuals still think that breast cancer is contagious?
Conversely, some individuals foolishly believe that breast size determines whether or not one gets cancer.
Finally, another myth that is associated with this disease is that it only affects older people. This is not so. Although the chance of getting breast cancer increases with age, women as young as 18 have been diagnosed with the disease.
You can find a number of helpful informative articles on Breast Cancer online at breast-cancer1.com
Breast Cancer online
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