Haynes 1

Dillon Haynes
ENG 112-78
Professor Douglas
December 1, 2016
The Decline of Health and Fitness
During the last fifteen years health and fitness has been on a steady decline, and
obesity, diabetes, and carious health issues have sky rocketed (Dwyer). Many people
believe technology and the fast food industry is to blame, but there are many other factors
that go into health. One of the top issues in the United States is the lack of physical
activity among citizens. These three factors have led to rises in health issues not only in
adults, but teens and adolescents as well.
Various studies done on American youth show that the majority of fitness
problems occur during the ages of 13-18 (Kylinen). These problems can be related to a
number of issues. Over the past two decades, technology has been on a steady rise. From
television and computers to smart phones and tablets, there is no denying that technology
is easily accessible to most people in the United States. That being said, the use of
devices is common among children and adults. Many teens are also getting their first
cellphone during these years. Instead of going outside and being active, children are
choosing to watch television, play video games, or use some sort of mobile device for
entertainment. The rise in technology paired with the growing popularity of fast food can
be a grim combination. Families have begun to choose fast food over home cooked meals
because of the low cost and convenience of a drive through. With either dual income
households or single parent incomes being a norm now, the ease of cooking a good meal

Haynes 2
every night is not as easy as it has been in the previous decades. Although it is not as
manageable, parents still need to be vigilant and ensure their children are eating properly
and exercising regularly.
High school and college students are experiencing a steady decrease in health as
well. A study on 15-21 year olds done by Kylinen et al. showed an increase in obesity
due to job selection (Kylinen). Many individuals in this age group are working in
establishments that require extensive sitting or sedentary standing. Because of the long
work hours after school, many students do not have the time or energy to incorporate
physical exercise in their daily schedules. In a university setting, high stress from school
and work has caused obesity rates in college students to rise (Desai). Young adults have
developed poor diet habits including, but not limited to, inadequate food choices and late
night meals. Diet and exercise have been put on the back burner while education and
income have become top priorities. It is vital to our education system to incorporate
physical health into the curriculum. Studies have shown that high school students who are
exposed to health related fitness knowledge have a lower obesity rate that continues
through college than those who do not (Thompson).
Healthy lifestyles instilled in young adults can help develop healthy habits in
adulthood. In a study done in 35 states including the District of Columbia physical
activity in adults has decreased nearly 21% over the past seven years, and is continuing to
decline (Moore). Currently nearly 37% of adults struggle with their weight, and of that
37%, 29% of them are not getting daily exercise (Moore). This is one contributing factor
to the increase in obesity in America. Sadly, the United States is number one in the world
for obesity (Moore). If the population cannot obtain healthy eating habits, physical

Haynes 3
exercise needs to be a part of the daily lives of Americans. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of death in the United States is
heart disease (Leading Causes of Death). The cardiovascular system can be enhanced by
exercising daily (Wilson). By having regular high intensity workout regimens, the heart
will improve in many different areas. When the heart experiences physical exertions daily
the heart walls increase thickness and all four-heart chambers will increase in volume
causing a greater cardiac mass (Wilson). This in turn lowers the risk of heart disease and
stroke. Physical exercise after retirement is exceedingly important as well. Many elderly
individuals experience health issues such as joint discomfort, arthritis, and muscle and
bone deterioration. Studies have shown that bone density decreases by nearly 40% after
the age of 70 (Ruiz-Montero). Staying active can decrease how rapidly these problems
occur.
With the rise in busy lifestyles physical health has been put on the back burner.
Simple daily changes can help the health issues in America decrease exponentially.
Creating an agenda is one way people can manage their time and incorporate physical
exercise. A chart that displays hourly time slots can help visualize what people do each
day. Finding specific times each day to replace sedentary activities with physical ones can
improve overall health vastly. Finding ways to incorporate healthy eating habits through
the majority of the week can also help. For example, on Sundays many people find it
helpful to meal prep because they have more free time. This can get the majority of
cooking for the week complete, and it also saves money. Parents need to also take
responsibility of their childrens lifestyle choices. By using television, computer, tablet,
and cell phone use as a reward for exercising, children will learn the importance of being

Haynes 4
active in the future. In a study conducted by Jill Barker, it was shown that parents who
get involved in physical exercise with their children increases the chance of their child
being physically active in adulthood (Barker). Setting goals for children can improve
health, confidence, and familial relationships.

Haynes 5
Work Cited
Desai, Melissa N,M.D., M.P.H., et al. "Risk Factors Associated with Overweight and
Obesity in College Students." Journal of American College Health 57.1 (2008):
109-14. ProQuest. Web. 3 Oct. 2016.
Kyrlinen, Heikki, et al. "Physical Fitness Profiles of Young Men." Sports Medicine
40.11 (2010): 907-20. ProQuest. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
Leading Causes of Death. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Oct. 2016, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leadingcauses-of-death.htm.
Moore, Latetia V., et al. "Trends in no Leisure-Time Physical Activity-United States,
1988-2010." Research quarterly for exercise and sport 83.4 (2012): 587-91.
ProQuest. Web. 4 Oct. 2016.
Ruiz-Montero, Pedro, and Alfonso Castillo-Rodrguez. "Body Composition, Physical
Fitness and Exercise Activities of Elderly." Journal of Physical Education and
Sport 16.3 (2016): 860-5. ProQuest. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
Thompson, Angela, and James C. Hannon. "Health-Related Fitness Knowledge and
Physical Activity of High School Students." Physical Educator 69.1 (2012): 7188. ProQuest. Web. 4 Oct. 2016.
Wilson, Mathew G., Georgina M. Ellison, and N. T. Cable. "Basic Science Behind the
Cardiovascular Benefits of Exercise." British journal of sports medicine 50.2
(2016): 93. ProQuest. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.