Daily steps add up for midlife women's health

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-11/tnam-dsa112112.php

Public release date: 21-Nov-2012
Contact: Eileen Petridis
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS)

CLEVELAND, Ohio (November 21, 2012)—Moving 6,000 or more steps a day—no matter how—adds up to a healthier life for midlife women. That level of physical activity decreases the risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome (a diabetes precursor and a risk for cardiovascular disease), showed a study published online this month in Menopause, the journal of the North American Menopause Society.

Although other studies have shown the value of structured exercise in lowering health risks such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, this study has shown that habitual physical activity—whether it comes from exercising or just activities of daily living—has the power to improve women's health.

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