Final answer:
The true statement about physical health is that regular exercise improves physical health, as it enhances various aspects of both physical and mental well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the statements about physical health given, the true one is that regular exercise improves physical health. Regular physical activity has been shown to have a number of health benefits, such as increasing cardiovascular and muscular fitness, increasing bone density and strength, improving cognitive function, and helping with weight loss and maintenance. Additionally, regular exercise can lead to mental health benefits, including reducing stress, improving body image, promoting positive self-esteem, and potentially offering similar benefits to antidepressants in the treatment of depression. In fact, being sedentary is associated with an increased risk of anxiety.
A balanced diet is also very important for physical health as it provides the necessary nutrients and energy to support the body's functions and physical activities. The interconnection between physical and mental health suggests that physical health can indeed impact mental health, adding to the evidence that statement 2 is incorrect. Moreover, physical health is not solely related to physical fitness, but encompasses a variety of factors including nutrition, sleep, stress management, and the avoidance of harmful behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption or smoking.