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Why This Work Is Important

  • Too few American get the recommended amount of physical activity.
  • Only 1 in 5 adults and high school students fully meet physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activites.
  • About 31 million adults aged 50 or older are inactive, meaning they get no physical activity beyond that of daily living.
  • Physical inactivity costs lives and dollars.
  • Inactivity contributes to 1 in 10 premature deaths.
  • Physical activity could prevent: 1 in 8 cases of breast cancer. 1 in 8 cases of colorectal cancer. 1 in 12 cases of diabetes. 1 in 15 cases of heart disease.
  • Inadequate levels of physical activity are associated with $117 billion in annual healthcare costs.
  • Many Americans do not have a safe or convenient places to be active.
  • Only 39% of the U.S. population lives within half a mile of a park.
  • Only 40% of school-aged youth who live a mile or less from school report that they usually walk to school.
  • Physical inactivity impacts our national security and military readiness.
  • Both obesity and low levels of physical fitness increase the risk for injury among active military personnel.
  • Nearly 1 in 4 young adults are too heavy to serve in the military.
  • 71% of young people in the U.S. would not be able to join the military if they wanted to.
Icon: People stretching

Too few Americans get the recommended amount of physical activity.

  • Only 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 5 high school students fully meet physical activity guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
  • About 31 million adults aged 50 years or older are inactive, meaning they get no physical activity beyond that of daily living.
Icon: Money

Physical inactivity costs lives and dollars.

  • Inactivity contributes to 1 in 10 premature deaths.
  • Inadequate levels of physical activity are associated with $117 billion in annual healthcare costs.
Icon: A person walking on a trail.

Many Americans do not have safe or convenient places to be active.

  • Only 39% of the U.S. population lives within one-half mile of a park.
  • Only 40% of school-aged youth who live a mile or less from school report that they usually walk to or from school.
Icon: A person walking with crutches.

Physical inactivity affects our national security and military readiness.

  • Both obesity and low levels of physical fitness increase the risk for injury among active military personnel.
  • Nearly 1 in 4 young adults are too heavy to serve in our military.

Benefits of Physical Activity

Among the many benefits of physical activity are:

  • Lower risk of:
    • Early death.
    • Coronary heart disease.
    • Stroke.
    • High blood pressure.
    • High cholesterol or triglycerides.
    • Type 2 diabetes.
    • Metabolic syndrome.
    • Colon cancer.
    • Breast cancer.
  • Prevention of weight gain.
  • Weight loss, particularly when combined with reduced calorie intake.
  • Improved cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness and muscular strength.
  • Prevention of falls.
  • Reduced depression.

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Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

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