What if there was a free drug every day that could start improving your health right away? A drug so effective and beneficial to you that it can prevent or treat obesity, reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, improve quality of life, and more. Will you accept it?
If you say yes, you’ll be glad to hear there yes Something like this, which can have all these benefits and more: physical activities! You can start by sitting less and moving more, taking a moderate walk to your mailbox, skipping the elevator and taking the extra flight of stairs, or even having a quick dance party in the living room with your family.
In November 2018, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) released a new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2nd Edition. The overall message is to sit less and move more, all activities add up. The benefits of being active are undeniable and achievable for everyone at all levels. A single bout of physical activity can lower blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, improve sleep, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and improve some aspects of cognition on the day it is performed. These benefits are made greater with a regular pattern of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Updated Findings and Recommendations
- Additional health benefits, including benefits for the brain and for people with cancer or fall-related injuries; and how people feel, function and sleep more generally (immediate and long-term)
- Expanded benefits for seniors and those with other chronic conditions
- Risk of sedentary behavior and its relationship to physical activity
- A Guide for Preschoolers Ages 3 to 5
- Requirement to cancel at least 10 minutes of activity
- Population-Based Strategies Available to Increase Activity Levels
Physical Activity Guidelines 2nd Edition Main Guidelines
Preschoolers (3-5 years old) |
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Children and Teens (6-17 years old) |
kids deserve 60 minutes Daily or more moderate to vigorous physical activity:
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adult |
Adults should be active throughout the day, and Sit less.
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The updated guidelines also include additional recommendations for older adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and adults with chronic diseases and/or disabilities. They discuss meeting guidelines, safety considerations, and working with healthcare providers.
Eighty percent of Americans do not get enough of the recommended physical activity. But it means there’s a great opportunity to improve activity levels in people of all ages and make a big difference. About half of American adults suffer from one or more preventable chronic diseases, and seven of the 10 most common chronic diseases can be improved with physical activity. These new guidelines have the potential to transform our nation’s health and empower millions of Americans to act today!
refer to:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018). The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans 2nd Edition. Obtained from: https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/
Piercy, KL, Troiano, RP, Ballard, RM, Carlson, SA, Fulton, JE, Galuska, DA, … & Olson, RD (2018). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Jama.
