Physical Activity

Goal

Improve health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity.


Overview

Released in 2008, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) is the first-ever publication of national guidelines for physical activity. The Physical Activity objectives for Healthy People 2020 reflect the strong state of the science supporting the health benefits of regular physical activity among youth and adults, as identified in the PAG. Regular physical activity includes participation in moderate and vigorous physical activities and muscle-strengthening activities.

More than 80 percent of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Similarly, more than 80 percent of adolescents do not do enough aerobic physical activity to meet the guidelines for youth. Working together to meet Healthy People 2020 targets via a multidisciplinary approach is critical to increasing the levels of physical activity and improving health in the United States.

The Physical Activity objectives for 2020 highlight how physical activity levels are positively affected by:

  • Structural environments, such as the availability of sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and parks
  • Legislative policies that improve access to facilities that support physical activity

New to Healthy People 2020 are objectives related to policies targeting younger children through:

  • Physical activity in childcare settingsTelevision viewing and computer usage
  • Recess and physical education in the Nation's public and private elementary schools

Why is Physical Activity Important?

Regular physical activity can improve the health and quality of life of Americans of all ages, regardless of the presence of a chronic disease or disability.  Among adults and older adults, physical activity can lower the risk of:

  • Early death
  • Coronary heart disease
  • StrokeHigh blood pressure
  • Type 2 diabetesBreast and colon cancer
  • Falls
  • Depression

Among children and adolescents, physical activity can:

  • Improve bone health.
  • Improve cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness.
  • Decrease levels of body fat.
  • Reduce symptoms of depression.

For people who are inactive, even small increases in physical activity are associated with health benefits.

Additional Resources

HP2020 Page for Physical Activity
HHDW Reports on Physical Activity

References

  1. US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2008 Physical activity guidelines for Americans. Washington: HHS; 2008.
  2. US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Physical activity guidelines advisory committee report, 2008. Washington: HHS, 2008.

 


Objectives

Download all Physical Activity Objectives

ID
Objectives and sub-objectives
PA-3 Increase the proportion of adolescents who meet current Federal physical activity guidelines for aerobic physical activity and for muscle-strengthening activity
PA-3.1
Adolescents who are physically active for at least 60 minutes per day The Leading Health Indicators (LHI) were developed as part of the Healthy People 2010 initiative. LHI were selected to reflect the major public health concerns in the United States. Ten indicators were chosen based upon their ability to motivate action, the availability of data to measure their progress and their relevance as broad public health issues.
PA-5 Increase the proportion of adolescents who participate in daily school physical education The Leading Health Indicators (LHI) were developed as part of the Healthy People 2010 initiative. LHI were selected to reflect the major public health concerns in the United States. Ten indicators were chosen based upon their ability to motivate action, the availability of data to measure their progress and their relevance as broad public health issues.
PA-6
Increase regularly scheduled elementary school recess in the United States
PA-6.1 Increase the number of States that require regularly scheduled elementary school recess
PA-7 Increase the proportion of school districts that require or recommend elementary school recess for an appropriate period of time
PA-8
Increase the proportion of children and adolescents who do not exceed recommended limits for screen time
PA-8.3.2 Adolescents in grades 6-8, computer and computer game time
PA-8.3.3 Adolescents in grades 9-12, computer and computer game time