It’s no secret that obesity is a core public health challenge of our time- largely as a result of the lack of physical activity and poor nutrition. In fact, 80% of US adults and adolescents aren’t getting enough physical activity. Physical activity fosters normal growth and development and can make people feel, function, and sleep better and reduce risk of many chronic diseases.
A couple of weeks ago JAMA’s 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee published a systematic review of the science supporting physical activity and health in HHS’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report. The HHS Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Report (2nd edition) recommended the following:
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Preschool-aged children (3 through 5 years) should be physically active throughout the day to enhance growth and development.
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Children and adolescents aged 6 through 17 should do 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
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Adults should do at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes to 150 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. They should also do muscle-strengthening activities 2 days a week.
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Pregnant and postpartum women should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week.
The 2018 recommendations emphasize that moving more and sitting less will benefit nearly everyone. Individuals performing the least physical activity benefit most by even modest increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Additional benefits occur with more physical activity. Both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity are beneficial.
The JAMA Committee concluded that the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Report (2nd edition) provides information and guidance on the types and amounts of physical activity that provide substantial health benefits. Health professionals and policy makers should facilitate awareness of the guidelines and promote the health benefits of physical activity and support efforts to implement programs, practices, and policies to facilitate increased physical activity and to improve the health of the US population.
You can dive into the systematic review on the JAMA site. Their review largely validates the 2018 guidelines.