The Importance of Exercise Imagine one day finding yourself on your deathbed with a chronic illness only because you ignored the importance of exercise. This may sound dramatic, but it can really happen to anyone if they don't get an adequate amount of exercise into their life. One of the major problems I see around me almost every day of my life is the common lack of exercise. Myself included, I don't think most people understand the importance of exercise to stay healthy in their daily lives. This is a very significant issue today in the United States because it is not appreciated enough for what it does for us. By spending just a few minutes a day exercising, you can significantly reduce your risk of disease. There are many effects associated with lack of exercise on humans. Some are better known than others, but some go much deeper than we might already know. Some of the many diseases that can result from lack of exercise are heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and depression. “In the United States, it has been estimated that inactivity causes one-third of all deaths from coronary heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes” (Powell & Blair, 1994) (Biddle, Fox, & Boutcher 1). Most doctors would agree that lack of exercise is harmful to a person's health. John P. Thyfault, PhD, states that “inactivity plays a role in nearly every chronic disease in existence.” Almost all the diseases that exist? This should be a wake-up call to anyone who cares about their own health or the health of a loved one! There is another very serious problem with lack of physical activity affecting children across the United States. It is known as childhood obesity. The best-known cause of obesity is overeating, but another important factor in… half of the article… is it time to teach students about the importance of exercise and obesity? This problem should not be forced on children but can certainly be strongly encouraged. If a person is informed about this issue when they are young, it seems that they are more likely to take the information and use it in their life as they get older. The problem of limited exercise among people today should be a worrying issue for everyone. If we don't take a stand now, things will only get worse. Adults and parents must set a good example and help our young people practice good habits from an early age, so they can grow up and live healthy lives. The hope for a change in this problem lies in our hands to educate and help others understand the importance of exercise. I'm sure most people would rather spend some of their time exercising than spend their time in a hospital bed.