Physical Activity:  A Key to Good Health 

In 2008 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.  These guidelines recommend:

1. Children and adolescents need 1 hour or more of physical activity each day, for 5 or more days a week.
2. Adults need at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (e.g. brisk walking) every week, preferably in sessions of 20 minutes or more, scattered throughout the week.  Adults also need muscle strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week.

In Delaware, 41.7% of adults do not  meet any of the guidelines, and only 20% of adults meet both aerobic and strength-building guidelines (2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey).  A majority of public high school students (56.7%) do not  meet the guideline of 60 minutes a day 5 days a week (2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey). 

Healthy physical activity includes aerobic activity (walking, bicycling, swimming, etc.), muscle strengthening activities, and activities to increase balance and flexibility.  Regular physical activity is important for good health, and is especially important for weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight.

Physical activity helps to:

• Maintain or lose weight
• Manage or prevent stress
• Reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Reduce risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and several types of cancer
• Reduce arthritis pain and associated disability
• Reduce risk for osteoporosis and injury from falls
• Reduce feelings of depression and anxiety
• Increase energy, strength, and stamina

More About Physical Activity

• Communities can get help improving the physical environment from a joint project between DPH and the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA) on the Toolkit for a Healthy Delaware website.
• More information about physical activity.
• Learn about the 5-2-1-Almost None campaign.
• For more information about physical activity or to download The U.S. National Physical Activity Plan visit the CDC Physical Activity for Everyone website.

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