ABSTRACT
Current aging trends indicate that Americans are living longer (Arias 2010). In the past 100 years, life expectancy in the United States has increased from less than 50 years to more than 76 years (Arias 2010). Unfortunately, the prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities is also rising and now represents the major cause of death and disability not only in the United States but worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2004). These chronic conditions include cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and respiratory diseases and accounts for 59% of the 57 million annual deaths due to chronic diseases and conditions. Globally, this —gure accounts for 46% of the world disease burden (World Health Organization 2003). The good news is that by incorporating daily physical activity and exercise as part of one’s lifestyle, both primary and secondary prevention disease rates are likely reduced. Primary prevention is the process of preventing diseases and conditions in an attempt to prevent them from occurring. Secondary prevention is the process of administering treatment to persons with diagnosed diseases and conditions in an attempt to reverse the effects of the disease. These lifestyle changes have now become an important part of the medical disease management plan (Moore et al. 2009).
