• Low Levels of Brain Chemical May Lead to Obesity

NIH study of rare disorder shows that low levels of brain chemical may lead to obesity. A brain chemical that plays a role in long term memory also appears to be involved in regulating how much people eat and their likelihood of becoming obese, according to a National Institutes of Health study of a rare genetic condition.

• Determining Your Weight/Health Profile

Overweight and obesity have been associated with increased risk of developing such conditions as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease.

• The Best Bone Building Exercise

The best exercise for your bones is the weight-bearing kind, which forces you to work against gravity. Some examples of weight-bearing exercises include weight training, walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, tennis, and dancing.

• Exercise & Training Tips

If you have health problems – such as heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity – or if you are age 40 or older, check with your doctor before you begin a regular exercise program.

• What Is bone and bone health?

In order to understand osteoporosis, it is important to learn about bone. Made mostly of collagen, bone is living, growing tissue. Collagen is a protein that provides a soft framework, and calcium phosphate is a mineral that adds strength and hardens the framework.

• Bone Remodeling

Throughout life, bone is constantly renewed through a two-part process called remodeling. This process consists of resorption and formation. During resorption, old bone tissue is broken down and removed by special cells called osteoclasts.

• The Bone Bank Account

Think of bone as a bank account where you "deposit" and "withdraw" bone tissue. During childhood and the teenage years, new bone is added to the skeleton faster than old bone is removed. As a result, bones become larger, heavier, and denser.

• Having heart disease doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding physical activity

If you have heart disease, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid physical activity. In fact, most people with heart disease and those who are at high risk of developing heart disease can benefit from regular light to moderate exercise.

• Health Benefits Versus Other Reasons To Be Physically Active

Although the Guidelines focus on the health benefits of physical activity, these benefits are not the only reason why people are active. Physical activity gives people a chance to have fun, be with friends and family, enjoy the outdoors, improve their personal appearance, and improve their fitness so that they can participate in more intensive physical activity or sporting events.

• Four Levels of Physical Activity

Classification of Total Weekly Amounts of Aerobic Physical Activity Into Four Categories. Inactive, low activity, medium activity, and high activity.

• Set The Right Goals for Weight Loss

Setting the right goals is an important first step. Most people trying to lose weight focus on just that one goal: weight loss. However, the most productive areas to focus on are the dietary and exercise changes that will lead to that long-term weight change.

• Four Ways to Be Active

To get all of the benefits of physical activity, try all four types of exercise – 1) endurance, 2) strength, 3) balance, and 4) flexibility.

• Exercise for Older People

Almost anyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity. You can still exercise even if you have a health condition like heart disease or diabetes. In fact, physical activity may help. For most older adults, brisk walking, riding a bike, swimming, weight lifting, and gardening are safe, especially if you build up slowly.

• Exercise Safety Tips for Older People

Here are some things you can do to make sure you are exercising safely: Start slowly, especially if you haven’t been active for a long time. Little by little build up your activities and how hard you work at them.

• How much physical activity should I do?

During moderate-intensity activities you should notice an increase in your heart rate, but you should still be able to talk comfortably. An example of a moderate-intensity activity is walking on a level surface at a brisk pace (about 3 to 4 miles per hour).

• How much physical activity do I need to do to lose weight?

If you want to lose a substantial (more than 5 percent of body weight) amount of weight, you need a high amount of physical activity unless you also lower calorie intake.

• Tips for Buying Exercise Equipment

The benefits of exercise are well-documented. Unfortunately, that's not always the case with advertising claims for exercise equipment.

• Evaluating Advertisers Claims When Buying Exercise Equipment

The advertised results may be based on more than just the use of the machine; they also may be based on restricting calories. The fine print may explain this. Even if it doesn't, keep in mind that diet and exercise together are much more effective for achieving a healthy, toned body than either tactic is alone.

• Finding and Buying the Right Fitness Equipment

To help you choose the best equipment for your needs, check out consumer and fitness magazines that rate exercise equipment. Then test various pieces of equipment at a local gym, recreation center or retailer to find the machine or device that feels comfortable to you.

• Exercise can make your feel stronger, healthier, and more vital.

Exercise can make your feel stronger, healthier, and more vital. Anyone can start exercising at any age and make themselves feel better and healthier.