This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on physical activity. Jennifer R. Jones, MPH, community engagement coordinator with the University of Pittsburgh CTSI, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, sat down to have a lively conversation about the featured topic.
JJ: Good afternoon, and Happy New Year, Ms. Bush. Can you believe this is our first health page of 2016?
EB: Happy New Year to you, too, Jennifer. We’re only a few days into 2016, and I have already heard much chatter about starting the New Year off right. Many friends and colleagues, myself included, are setting goals to be healthier in 2016. Physical activity is a timely topic for this month.
JJ: Yes, it is. I like that this page shows the importance of physical activity for both children and adults. There is so much research that shows us that physical activity is good for the entire body. As Dr. Ross mentions, being active has benefits for not only weight loss but for our brains, our hearts, our moods and even for our sleep patterns. Dr. Ross’s overview highlights easy ways that people can fit physical activity in their normal daily routine.
EB: Our bodies are so intricately wired and the key to keeping them tuned up really is physical activity. I remember in a meeting we had recently that we were talking about Dr. Judy Cameron’s research. She is part of CTSI. We were talking about a study she did that showed that monkeys walking on a treadmill had positive effects to their brains. It is really interesting – and encouraging!
JJ: I know! Those are results from a 2010 published study (www.futurity.org/time-on-treadmill-shapes-up-the-brain/). I don’t even think we fully understand yet how important physical activity is to our bodies. But researchers like those at the University of Pittsburgh Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center are working on it.
EB: Yes, an important facility indeed. I’d encourage people to just walk—period. I don’t care where or when, just move. Walk your animals, take walks with your grandchildren or walk up the steps. Find a partner to walk with, and make it fun. I’m going to take my own advice! Exercise is excellent, and it’s rewarding.
JJ: Certainly! Thank you for your time, Ms. Bush. I wish you and all of our readers a happy and healthy 2016. Next month, we continue talking about an important aspect of health, the use of vitamins and supplements. There seems to be a trend to using these recently, and I am interested in hearing what research tells us about these additives.
For more information or with questions, e-mail partners@hs.pitt.edu.
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