5 A Day The Color Way Links • The Colors of Health • Why Are Scientists So Excited? • What's a Serving? • 5 or More the Easy Way • Building a Healthy Lifestyle

Living a healthy lifestyle involves making choices about the foods we eat as well as exercise and other daily activities. Eating low-fat meals that include 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day is a cornerstone of a healthy life plan. Another cornerstone is physical activity.

Being physically active can help you attain or maintain a healthy weight. And there are other benefits, too. Being more active can:

• Help prevent heart disease
• Help control cholesterol levels and diabetes
• Slow bone loss associated with advancing age
• Lower the risk of certain cancers
• Help reduce anxiety and depression

Overweight and Obesity

Over half of adults in the United States are overweight or obese — and today, obesity in children is rapidly becoming a major health crisis. Why is weight control so important? It’s a health issue. Overweight and obesity are associated with heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, breathing problems, and psychological disorders. Choosing healthier foods and exercising regularly will help.