These Guidelines Can Save Your Life
Most of us know that regular physical activity can improve our health. But what science-based information have you reviewed to form your movement routine? One of the most comprehensive yet easy-to-understand tools I know about is the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Let's start with some staggering statistics from the current guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2018:
About half of American adults live with one or more preventable chronic diseases.
Regular physical activity positively impacts 7 out of 10 of the most common chronic diseases.
About 50% of American adults do not meet the recommended guidelines for aerobic activity.
Nearly 80% of American adults do not meet the recommended guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity.
This lack of physical activity links to approximately $117 billion in healthcare costs and about 10% of premature deaths.
These guidelines help people ages three years and older improve their health through participation in regular physical activity. No matter your stage of life, valuable & relevant information is right here at your fingertips. Although these guidelines target a professional audience, anyone can read and understand them.
Here is a snapshot of the type of information within the document:
overview of the development of the guidelines
guidelines for age groups, pregnant/postpartum women, & adults with disabilities and chronic health conditions
guidelines for safe physical activity
health benefits of physical activity
glossary
federal physical activity resources
The document is lengthy, but you do not need to read all of it. It is worth knowing how the guidelines came to be, the recommendations relevant to you, and see examples to help you meet them. If you are the type of person who wants to know the details, go ahead and read more!
Download the PDF, then start with the roadmap on page 12. It guides you to the information you find most interesting.
Have you downloaded the guidelines? What did you learn? Did anything surprise you? What changes have you made after reviewing the guidelines?
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