Fitness Report:

More than 60 million people, or a third of the population, are overweight.

An estimated 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men are inspired to diet at any given time, yet studies show that the majority of these people don’t actually lose weight.

Experts estimate that life expectancy would increase by three years, coronary heart disease would decrease by 25 percent and congestive heart failure and stroke would decrease by 35 percent if everyone reached a healthy body weight.

Less active and less fit people have a 30 percent to 50 percent risk of high blood pressure.

Americans tend to underestimate what they eat by 50 percent primarily because they don’t understand serving sizes. For example, the official USDA serving size for a bagel is 2 ounces, but bagels served in restaurants are typically 4-5 ounces.

Men age 20 or older consume an average per day of 2,460 calories, and women age 20 or older consume 1,613 calories per day.

More than 60 percent of US adults do not participate in the recommended amount of physical activity; and approximately 25 percent of adults are not active at all.

Physical inactivity increases with age and is more common among women than men.

Individuals who exercise regularly are less likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, osteoporosis and certain forms of cancer. Regular physical activity also helps control weight; build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints; and promotes psychological well-being.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who are usually inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming even moderately active on a regular basis. Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits, and greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount of physical activity.