JoAnn Manson

Exercise is the key to better physical and psychological health, according to JoAnn Manson in the following viewpoint. Man-son contends that exercise is associated with a lower incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and muscle tissue loss in older adults. In addition, Manson notes, exercise improves blood flow to the brain, warding off depression and sharpening cognitive function. Moreover, she reports that even moderate physical activity, such as housekeeping and yard work, has beneficial health effects. Manson is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, why is fitness not as simple as the “just do it” slogan"
2. What is the body mass index (BMI), as defined by Manson"
3. In the...