Sedentary Lifestyle and Obesity

A life with too little movement

A sedentary lifestyle is one with little or no physical activity, such as sitting for most of the day with almost no exercise. Over time this can harm health in many ways, from weight gain to heart problems and poor sleep. If a person regularly takes in more energy from food than their body uses, the surplus is stored as fat, and this can lead to obesity. This module looks at the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, how obesity affects sporting performance, and the physical, mental and social ill-health it can bring.

Inactivity and obesity words

Learn these before you sort any consequence. The exam wants you to explain the effects of inactivity and obesity, not just name them.

Three ways obesity harms health

When obesity affects health it does so in three areas at once. A strong answer names harm in more than one of them.

How inactivity leads to harm

To explain the harm, start from the lack of movement. With little activity the body uses less energy, so surplus energy is stored and weight can rise. Extra weight then makes the body work harder and slows it down, which limits sporting performance. It also raises the risk of illness and can affect how a person feels and mixes with others. Trace the chain from inactivity through weight to health rather than listing effects on their own.

Match the effect on performance

What is a sedentary lifestyle?

Which statement best describes a sedentary lifestyle?

• A way of living with little or no physical activity.
• A life of daily hard training and sport.
• A strict diet with no fatty foods.
• Getting a large amount of sleep each night.

Consequences of inactivity

Select the TWO consequences that a sedentary lifestyle can cause.

• Weight gain and a risk of obesity
• A higher risk of heart disease
• Becoming much fitter and faster
• Building large, strong muscles

Work out the energy surplus

In one day a person takes in 2500 units of energy from food but uses only 2000 units. Subtract the energy used from the energy taken in to find the surplus stored that day. What is the answer in units?

Order the path to weight gain

Put the steps by which a sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity in order, earliest first.

• A person is barely active each day
• They take in more energy than the body uses
• The surplus energy is stored as fat
• Weight rises over time towards obesity

Complete the facts

A way of living with little activity is a _____ lifestyle. If energy taken in is greater than energy used, the surplus is stored and weight rises towards _____. Being very overweight raises blood pressure, a condition called _____. Obesity can also harm the mind, for example causing a loss of _____.

Match the harm to its type

Spot the true sedentary lifestyle facts

Tap the TWO statements that are true about a sedentary lifestyle and obesity.

• Low activity can lead to weight gain and obesity
• Obesity can limit stamina, speed and agility
• Sitting all day makes a person fitter
• Obesity has no effect on health at all

Name the effect

Read each case and choose the best answer.

• A player who has gained a lot of weight now tires very quickly and cannot last a full match. Which performance effect is this?
• A doctor warns that years of very little activity have raised a patient blood pressure and risk of heart disease. Which type of harm is this?
• Someone explains that obesity has left them avoiding group sport and staying home, feeling cut off from friends. Which type of harm is this?

Explain the effects of inactivity

Explain the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and how obesity can affect both sporting performance and health.

• Explain what a sedentary lifestyle is and one consequence it can cause
• Explain how obesity arises from an energy imbalance
• Explain one way obesity limits sporting performance
• Explain one physical and one mental or social harm of obesity