Physical_Activity_Guidelines

Being physically active is one of the most important
actions that people of all ages can take to improve
their health. About $117 billion in annual health
care costs and about 10 percent of premature
mortality are associated with inadequate physical
activity (not meeting the aerobic key guidelines).
This second edition of the Physical Activity
Guidelines for Americans provides sciencebased
guidance to help people ages 3 years and
older improve their health through appropriate
physical activity. It builds on the 2008 Guidelines
by incorporating new evidence about even more
health benefits, demonstrating greater flexibility
about how to achieve those benefits, and showing
the many proven ways to help people be more
active and to encourage communities to be more
conducive to physical activity.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
is issued by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS). It complements the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans, a joint effort of HHS
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Together, the two documents provide guidance
for the U.S. population on the importance of being
physically active and eating a healthy diet to
promote good health and reduce the risk of chronic
diseases.
This chapter provides background information
about the rationale and process for developing
the Guidelines. It then discusses several issues
that provide the framework for understanding
the Guidelines. The chapter also explains how
the Guidelines fits in with other published
physical activity recommendations and how
it should be used in practice.
New Evidence of Physical
Activity Benefits
Evidence for the benefits of physical activity has
continued to grow since the 2008 Guidelines
were published. Here are just a few of the
recently identified benefits:
Improved bone health and weight status
for children ages 3 through 5 years.
Improved cognitive function for youth
ages 6 to 13 years.
Reduced risk of cancer at a greater
number of sites.
Brain health benefits, including possible
improved cognitive function, reduced anxiety
and depression risk, and improved sleep and
quality of life.
For pregnant women, reduced risk of
excessive weight gain, gestational
diabetes, and postpartum depression.
For older adults, reduced risk of
fall-related injuries.
For people with various chronic medical
conditions, reduced risk of all-cause and
disease-specific mortality, improved physical
function, and improved quality of life.
14 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans