Why regular exercise is critical to healthy living – UBTH CMD

The management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday counselled Nigerians to engage in regular exercises to reduce the risk of developing medical challenges.

Darlington Obaseki, the chief medical director of the hospital, gave the advice in Benin during a walk tagged, “Step up for health: A walk for life with UBTH”, organised by the institution as part of activities to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Obaseki said studies had shown that walking, as a form of exercise, helps to prevent several disease conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

He explained that most patients visit the hospital for curative purposes whereas the first step in health care is disease prevention, hence the need to raise public awareness on the essence of exercise in a healthy lifestyle.

Read also: The impact of poor-quality medicines on public health in Africa

“Engaging in different exercises help to keep the body fit and healthy; the walk for life is a way to sensitise the public on the benefits of walking and how walking helps in preventing numerous diseases.

“One of the dangers of modern day style of living is the sedentary lifestyle. So many people sit in their offices from morning to night without exercising their bodies. Once you are fit and have the right weight, a lot of diseases can be prevented”, Obaseki said.

Taiwo Oyewumi, head of physiotherapy department, UBTH, on his part, decried that only a few per cent of Nigerians engage in regular exercises, saying that exercise is the cheapest way to stay healthy.
“People who do exercise don’t fall ill often. Engaging in exercises makes you sleep well, improves brain function, reduces bad cholesterol and hypertension,” Oyewumi said.