MAKE YOUR HEALTH A PRIORITY THIS YEAR

Why is Physical Activity Important?
Regular physical activity is also important for good health - especially if you're trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Most weight loss occurs because of decreased caloric intake. However, the way to maintain weight loss is to be engaged in regular physical activity.

Physical activity also helps you:

• Reduce high blood pressure and arthritis pain
• Reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis
• Reduce symptoms of depression & anxiety

Weight Management
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can help prevent health problems like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea. If you want to maintain a healthy weight, healthy lifestyle changes work better than dieting.

Nutrition Facts
A healthy lifestyle includes a healthy eating plan with a variety of foods. Healthy eating is all about balance. You can enjoy your favorite foods even if they are high in calories, fat or added sugars. The key is eating them only once in a while and balancing them out with healthier foods and physical activity.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, a healthy eating plan:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars
• Stays within your daily calorie needs

Tobacco Facts

• Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death & harms almost every organ of the body.
• Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, COPD, emphysema & chronic bronchitis.
• Tobacco use causes 6 million deaths per year worldwide.
• On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers.

Test your knowledge on the importance of physical activity by taking this brief quiz.

This information is provided by CDC.gov.