(RxWiki News) September 25 is National Women's Health and Fitness Day. There's no better time to start eating right, exercising and taking charge of your health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 14.2 percent of adult women are in fair or poor health.
Women's Health and Fitness Day is a national program that involves local health organizations to emphasize physical activity and health awareness for women. It is the largest health promotion event for women in America.
On Women's Health and Fitness Day, local groups across the nation are hosting healthy activities, free fitness classes and awareness-raising events to encourage women to make healthy choices every day.
"Exercise regularly to stay healthy and fit."
National Women's Health and Fitness Day exists to encourage women to take charge of their health status independently and to attend local events promoting health and health education. The day is sponsored by the Health Information Resource Center, a clearinghouse for health information professionals.
According to the organizers, Women's Health and Fitness Day provides local health promotion organizations and companies to spread awareness of the services they offer to local women.
CDC reports that leading causes of death among American women are heart disease, cancer and stroke. These and many other health risks can be lessened by eating healthy, being active, managing stress levels and getting regular check-ups from a doctor or nurse.
Receiving adequate preventative care is also important for women's health. The CDC also reports that in 2010, only 67.1 percent of women age 40 years or older had received a mammogram within the past two years. Only 73.2 percent of women 18 years and older had received a Pap smear within the past three years.
Moreover, in 2008, less than half of adult women ages 18 years and older met the federal government's guidelines for exercise and aerobic activity.
The CDC advises that women be active for 2.5 hours per week in order to maintain a healthy weight and reduce high blood pressure.
