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What's inside your 'beach body' is what matters most

To protect your "beach body," it's just as important to take care of what's inside as what's on the outside.
Credit: Thinkstock
Man tying jogging shoes.He is running outdoors on a sunny day.

To protect your "beach body," it's just as important to take care of what's inside as what's on the outside.

“Studies show 80 percent or more of premature chronic conditions, such as heart attack, stroke or diabetes, are influenced by modifiable lifestyle choices," said Dr. Linda Britton, Southeast Regional Vice President and Senior Medical Director for UnitedHealthcare.

A recent UnitedHealthcare survey found that just 16 percent of Americans know that lifestyle choices and not just genetics have a big influence on health.

Dr. Britton has these summer health and fitness tips:

  • Walk This Way: Studies have shown walking more and sitting less may help people maintain a healthier weight, ward off depression and prevent serious health issues like heart disease. To make walking more effective, think FIT, which stands for frequency (500 steps within seven minutes six times per day), intensity (3,000 steps within 30 minutes each day) and tenacity (at least 10,000 total steps per day).
  • Get Outside (Safely): Recent research has found that some people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, limiting exposure to daylight and fresh air. This can have negative consequences, including for children and their eye health. Studies have found that exposure to outdoor light may help reduce the risk of nearsightedness. To gain the potential benefits of being outdoors while helping stay safe, children and adults should wear sunglasses that block both UV rays and blue light, as well as apply sunscreen to help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
  • Maintain Your Hearing Health: Summer is a popular time for sporting events and music concerts, which can lead to exposure to loud sounds. Crowd noise at sporting events can exceed 90 decibels, while music concerts can reach 110 decibels. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can contribute to gradual hearing loss, so it is a good idea to use ear protection when seeing your favorite team or band. Likewise, listening to music through headphones or earbuds may damage hearing overtime. To help prevent that, turn the volume on your electronic device to 60 percent and listen for no longer than 60 minutes at a time, and never listen to earbuds while using power tools or a lawn mower.
  • Stay Safe Overseas: Up to 20 percent of travelers suffer an illness or injury while on vacation, so it is a good idea to review your health plan and understand if you have access to a national or local network of hospitals and health care providers. For people traveling overseas, contact your primary care doctor to determine what pre-screenings or immunizations might be recommended or required, based on your health history and countries on the itinerary.

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