Prevention
Chronic diseases have become a leading health threat around the world. The major chronic diseases include cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke), cancer, type 2 diabetes, lung disease and kidney disease. The World Health Organization recently stated chronic diseases are by far the leading cause of death in the world and that their impact is on the rise. A large majority of these chronic diseases are caused by a small number of known, preventable risk factors including physical inactivity.
Regular participation in at least 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activity can help prevent some of these conditions, most importantly, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Physical activity is also an important part of living well with nearly all chronic conditions, either by directly helping to managing the condition, or indirectly by improving energy and maintaining function and mobility.
Physical activity helps by:
- strengthening the heart and lungs;
- maintaining the strength of muscles and bones;
- helping to maintain a healthy weight;
- improving sleep patterns;
- improving metabolic health (e.g. healthy cholesterol levels);
- helping to control blood pressure;
- increasing endurance;
- decreasing stress.
Physical activity is one part of a healthy lifestyle that can help lead to better health. Healthy nutrition and living tobacco-free are two other important ways people can improve their health and prevent chronic diseases.
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Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Physical activity helps in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease includes many diseases of the circulatory system including acute myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, arrhythmias, high blood pressure and stroke.
Physical Activity
- Physical activity is often a beneficial component in cardiac and stroke rehabilitation programs.1
- Physical activity is also important for the prevention of CVD and maintenance of health.
- Physical inactivity is recognized as a significant risk factor that is considered to be modifiable through individual behavior change.
- Being physically active has a greater potential to reduce cardiovascular disease in at risk populations 2than other risk factors such as smoking or high blood pressure.
- Regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease by as much as 50%.3
Prevalence
- CVD remains the #1 cause of premature death in Canada.2
- CVD claims the lives of 79,500 Canadians annually.2
- Heart disease doesn’t discriminate it is a disease that affects both males and females.4
Costs
- CVD directly costs the Canadian health care system over $7.3 billion annually.2
For more information visit: www.heartandstroke.mb.ca
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Osteoporosis
Regular physical activity helps in the prevention of osteoporosis, a disease characterized by a low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. This leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. It is often known as the “silent thief” because bone loss occurs without symptoms.5
Physical Activity
- The risk of osteoporosis is reduced through regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence and there is also evidence for maintenance of bone mass through physical activity in adulthood.6
- Physical activity is good for your bones, and regular low impact and weight bearing activities such as dancing, walking, hiking and tennis are recommended to help prevent this disease.
Prevalence
- In Canada, about 1 out of every 4 women and 1 out of 8 men over 50 years of age have osteoporosis.7
- Wrist, spine and hip fractures are the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis.7
- Hip fractures related to osteoporosis are a serious problem in seniors, resulting in death in up to 20% of cases and disability in up to 50% of those who survive.7
Costs
- In Canada the cost of treating osteoporosis and the fractures it causes is estimated to be $1.3 billion annually.5
- Without effective action in prevention and treatment, it is estimated that by 2018 Canada will spend at least $32.5 billion treating osteoporosis fractures due to an increased proportion of older people in the population.5
For more information visit: www.osteoporosis.ca
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Cancer
It has been shown that regular physical activity can help in the prevention of certain types of cancer such as breast and colon cancer. Cancers are characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body.8
Physical Activity
- Research has shown that overall 30-35% of all cancers can be prevented by including activity into your daily life, staying a healthy weight and eating well.9
- Being overweight/obese has been found to increase your risk of developing breast cancer.10
- Physical activity along with healthy nutrition can result in a modest weight reduction which will help to reduce the risk.
- Physical activity can reduce the risk of colon cancer by as much as 50%.11
Prevalence
- This year in Manitoba, an estimated 5800 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and 2600 cancer deaths are expected for this year.12
- Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women.10
- An estimated 770 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2005 and an estimated 200 women will die of the disease.12
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women.12
- In Manitoba, in 2005 an estimated 790 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and an estimated 330 people will die of the disease.12
Costs
- Cancer in Canada has an economic burden of direct and indirect costs of $13.1 billion annually.11
For more information visit:
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Obesity
Regular physical activity helps in the prevention of obesity, a relative term for excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Clinical obesity is reached when an individual has a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30.
BMI can be calculated using the equation below:
| BMI = | Weight (kilograms) |
| | Height2 (metres) |
Individuals who are obese and carry most of their weight centrally (or in the abdominal region) are at risk for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Physical Activity
- Physical activity affects body composition and helps weight loss by promoting loss of fat.11 This occurs as a result of using more energy by doing physical activity than what you are taking in each day by eating food.
- Active individuals are less likely to be overweight.11
- Being inactive increases the risk for obesity, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, various cancers and back injuries.11
Prevalence
- Over half of Canadians carry excess weight and two thirds of these are considered to be at health risk.11
- In Canada by 2000, 9% of deaths among adults aged 20-64 could be attributed to overweight and obesity.13
- Two out of every three Canadian adults and one in four children (26%) in 2005 are either overweight or obese.14
Costs
- In Canada, direct costs of obesity were estimated to be more than $1.8 million in 1997, or 2.4% of the total health care expenditures for all diseases in that year.13
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Type 2 Diabetes
Physical activity can help in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. People with this disease either do not produce enough insulin or produce enough but their body cells are resistant to the action of insulin. Insulin is needed for the glucose (a form of sugar) to be taken up and used by the body. The body needs this sugar for growth and energy for daily activities.
Physical Activity
- Physical activity together with decreased fat intake which leads to weight loss can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58% for the duration of the intervention.16
- Physical activity relieves stress, improves insulin sensitivity and reduces obesity.15
- Physical activity reduces the risk of diabetes therefore also decreasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.11
- Physical activity is an important part of your treatment plan if you already have diabetes.
Prevalence
- On average, over 3000 Winnipeg residents are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes each year. Even more Winnipeggers develop type 2 diabetes but are unaware.17
- Currently, 60,000 Manitobans have type 2 diabetes and the incidence is on the rise.
- Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed in more children and young adults each day. By 2025, more than 100,000 Manitobans are expected to diagnosed with the disease.18
- Prevalence of diabetes for aboriginal people is triple the rate of the general population.15 In Manitoba, over 10,000 aboriginal people have diabetes and it is projected that by 2025, almost 25,000 will have the condition.18
- Diabetes accounts for over 400 deaths provincially18 and 5,000 deaths nationally each year.11
Costs
- The direct Manitoba health care costs of diabetes care and management are expected to rise over the next 20 years from $245 million to almost $400 million.18
- The Canadian economic burden of diabetes and its complications is estimated at $9 billion annually in direct and indirect costs.15
For more information visit:
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Sources
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Public Health Agency of Canada – Physical Activity Unit
- Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute: Health benefits and costs to the health care system
- Heart and Stoke Foundation of Canada
- Osteoporosis Canada – About Osteoporosis
- Gregg E.W., Pereira M.A., Caspersen C.J. (2000) Physical Activity, Falls, and Fractures among Older Adults: A review of the epidemiologic evidence. J Am Geriatr. Soc 2000 Aug; 48(8): 883-93.
- Public Health Agency of Canada – Aging Seniors
- Health Canada – Diseases and Conditions
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Health Canada – It’s Your Health
- Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute: Physical activity: Health benefits and costs to the health care system.
- Canadian Cancer Society – Manitoba Statistics
- Obesity – CIHR
- Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
- Saskatoon in motion
- Diabetes Prevention Program (DDP) Research Group. (2002). The Diabetes Prevention Program. Diabetes Care. 25:2165-2171.
- Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. (2003). Diabetes in the Winnipeg Health Region, 1996-1999.
- Blanchard, J.F., Wajda, A., Green, C. (1996). Epidemiologic Projections of
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