Physical activity and health.

Summary 1 Introduction 2 Definition and measurement of physical activity 2.1 Definition and classification of physical activity 2.2 Measuring physical activity Key points 3 Physical activity levels in the UK 3.1 Physical activity levels in UK adults 3.2 Physical activity levels in UK children and adolescents Key points 4 Physiological effects of physical activity 4.1 Energy balance 4.2 Body composition 4.3 Interaction with food intake 4.4 Cardiovascular effects 4.5 Lipid profile and cholesterol 4.6 Insulin sensitivity 4.7 Immune response 4.8 Neurological and psychological effects Key points 5 Physical activity in health and disease 5.1 Physical activity, weight gain and obesity 5.2 Physical activity and type 2 diabetes risk 5.3 Physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk 5.4 Physical activity and cancer risk 5.5 Physical activity, bone health and osteoporosis risk 5.6 Physical activity, psychological wellbeing and mental health Key points 6 Physical activity and public health 6.1 Physical activity across the life course 6.2 Current recommendations on physical activity 6.3 Psychological barriers to physical activity 6.4 Environmental determinants of physical activity 6.5 Effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity 6.6 Risks associated with physical activity Key points 7 Conclusions Physical activity levels in the UK are low. Only 35% of men and 24% of women reach the recommended 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity at least five times a week. Men tend to be more active than women at all ages, and there is a marked decline in physical activity with age in both sexes... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]