Physical_Activity_Guidelines

The Importance of Understandable Guidelines
HHS has tried to keep the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans straightforward and understandable,
while remaining consistent with complex scientific information. In each chapter, the key guidelines are set apart
from the text to identify the most important information to disseminate to the public. The messages contained
in the Guidelines should be communicated to the public and to anyone involved in promoting physical activity.
Taking Action: Increasing Physical Activity Levels of Americans
Action is needed at individual, community, and societal levels to help Americans become physically active.
Regular physical activity needs to be made the safe and easy choice for Americans. To most effectively
increase physical activity levels, evidence-based strategies should be used. This means that researchers
or practitioners have tested the strategy and shown that it can increase physical activity.
A review of the science by the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee shows that many
evidence-based strategies can be used to promote and support physical activity. Some strategies involve
working with people one-on-one or in small groups to change their physical activity. Other strategies can
be implemented more broadly at the community level through programs, practices, and policies that make
physical activity an easy choice.
Chapter 8. Taking Action: Increasing Physical Activity Levels of Americans highlights several evidencebased
strategies that focus on individuals and on communities. Because improving physical activity across
the country will require the efforts of individuals and many sectors of society, the chapter closes with some
potential steps individuals and groups can take to increase physical activity levels.
26 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans