For far too many of us, living a healthy lifestyle is far from a reality. A lack of movement is one of the many reasons that this is the case. After all, only about one third of call children are getting up and moving for the recommended daily hour of physical activity, something that is likely to hamper their health later down the line. In addition to this, less than 5% of all adults in the United States are getting up and moving for even just half of an hour out of the day – again something that can be hugely detrimental. And less than half of this adult population is meeting recommended weekly exercise levels (only just one third, as of recent findings).

Much of this can be attributed to technology. Children have become more enamored by various forms of screens than ever before, with more than half of all parents now feeling some level of concern over the amount of time their children are spending technologically engaged. This fear is a founded one, after all, as children now spend, on average, up to seven and a half hours in the day using various forms of technology alone. This means that the use of technology is greatly impeding the time that was once spent in the pursuit of physical play. This can have any number of consequences on their overall health – as well as on their overall development, for that matter.

And a lack of exercise is only compounded by the fact that many people are not eating a proper and well balanced diet. Unfortunately, the number of fast food restaurants found throughout the United States has actually doubled in the last half of a century or so. These establishments sell food that is cheap and easy to eat, making them staples for many a hard working person looking to avoid the hassle of cooking – and cleaning up – dinner. Unfortunately, fast food lacks in nutrition what they provide in convenience. In addition to this, most foods sold through fast food establishments are rife with added sugars, refined grains, and high levels of sodium, contributing to unhealthy people all throughout the country.

This has unfortunately culminated in a crisis of obesity. As a matter of fact, more than 78 million adults and 12 million children were already obese by the time that we reached the year of 2010. In the years that have followed since, this number has only continued to grow and by the time that the next decade or so has transpired, up to half of the adult population is set to be in the obese range.

Fortunately, there are steps that we can take to fight back. Getting enough exercise is one such way – and there are many different ways that you can incorporate exercise into the pattern of your typical day (or even just your typical week). For one thing, getting exercise equipment for your own home is an option that is very much growing in popularity. This exercise equipment is very similar to the exercise equipment you’d likely find at a gym, but exercise equipment in your own home will mean that yo you can exercise without feeling self conscious – and without paying a monthly gym membership. In addition to this, exercise equipment has become quite easy to find, as it can be purchased from just about any home fitness store all throughout the country – and such home fitness stores are quite prevalent indeed. And though exercise equipment can certainly be a little pricey, many people find it to be an investment that is more than worth making at the end of the day.

But you certainly don’t have to buy exercise equipment or gym equipment in order to get in shape. Even just incorporating more walking into your day can have a tremendous impact on your health. And taking up a sport can also be ideal, even just on a recreational basis. Of course, children can benefit from such things even more, given the habits and skills that organized sports can teach.