The study suggests that people who are obese fear injury or falling, which makes exercise more challenging.
Many people are embarrassed by the simple word exercise which we often hear. This could be due to unhappy childhood memories, guilt reluctance, or difficulty finding time for pleasurable activities or school sports. Recent research has shown that obesity can make it difficult to exercise for many people.
This finding has important implications for health and well-being. How can we make all people feel safe and happy while moving?
Why not be active
You may already know that physical activity can help you fight anxiety and depression. It helps prevent bone thinning, tones muscles, improves sleep quality, lowers blood sugar and blood pressure, and increases cholesterol. To do all the benefits of routine exercise, would need many medications.
Exercise is often a part of weight loss programs. Research has shown that exercise can help with weight maintenance and weight loss. Regular exercise not only burns calories but also builds muscle mass. Because muscles are metabolically active and release proteins, this is important because it helps to reduce appetite and food intake.
What can this study reveal
The study showed that obesity could make it difficult for people to exercise. The study followed 292 people who enrolled in an 8-week medical weight loss program that was held in Sydney, Australia. All participants met the criteria for severe or obese. The average age of the participants was 49 years. One-third were male, while two-thirds were women.
Participants completed a 12-question survey about their perception of injury at the beginning and end of the study. Most participants reported fear of injury and falling. They also believed that their weight made it more likely for injury to occur. One-third of respondents said their fear prevented them from exercising. Researchers also measured weight, height, and waist circumference, as well as administered strength tests in the first, fourth, and final sessions.
The researchers discovered that participants who were most worried about being injured had not lost as much weight as those who didn’t express this fear. The participants who had not lost as much weight were also more likely to experience depression, anxiety, sleepiness, and other mental health issues.
A dangerous cycle is created when fear of injury fuels it
Exercise is good for everyone, regardless of weight. It protects your heart and lowers blood sugar. It boosts your mood and reduces anxiety. It helps you achieve balance. Walking, which is a weight-bearing activity, prevents bone loss.
If worries about an injury or falls cause people to avoid exercise, they miss out on the balance-building, muscle-and-bone-strengthening, and mood-enhancing benefits of regular activity. They are more likely than others to fall and may even be more likely to fracture if they do.
Choose a combination of activities that works for you
Everybody, regardless of weight, should find a way to exercise safely, confidently, and joyfully.
Get moving. You can start slowly and gradually increase your activity. Sit less and stand more. Walking for 2 minutes each half an hour is a good idea. You can walk in the place or with a friend or loved one who is able to provide safety and comfort if you are afraid of falling.
Get guidance. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe physical therapy to improve balance and confidence.
You can try different activities to find what you like. Walking is an easy, healthy activity. Swimming or water aerobics might be something you enjoy. You might enjoy riding an arm bike (upper body ergometer) or a seated bicycle. This allows you to remain seated and pedal with your arms rather than your feet. There are also adaptive activities and sports for people with disabilities and physical limitations. You might consider biking, dancing, or any other activity that keeps you moving, depending on your level of fitness and interests.
