In its Guidelines for School and Community Health Programs to Promote Lifelong Physical Activity Among Young People, CDC makes comprehensive recommendations, aimed at encouraging physical activity for youngsters today as well as creating lifetime physical activity habits. The guidelines recommend physical education programs for all children in kindergarten through 12th grade, and at the same time they suggest new and different -- kid friendly -- approaches and urge parents and communities to become involved.

"This report speaks to all young people and to all schools, communities and parents," said HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala. "Physical activity is one of the keys to a lifetime of good health which all our kids deserve." Physical activity helps control weight, reduces feelings of depression and anxiety, and promotes psychological well-being, Secretary Shalala said. The guidelines are meant to help create lifelong habits of activity for all young Americans. "Competitive sports are great, but they're not for all kids. On the other hand, physical activity is good for virtually everyone," Shalala said. "These guidelines will help get all our kids moving." The report, released in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, states that although American young people are more active than adults, physical activity generally declines with age among children and adolescents. For example, a 1995 CDC survey showed that 48 percent of high school girls and 26 percent of high school boys do not exercise vigorously on a regular basis. The survey also showed that participation in school physical education classes has dramatically decreased in recent years--daily enrollment has dropped from 42 percent of high school students in 1991 to 25 percent in 1995.

In addition, the CDC reported last week that the proportion of young people who are overweight has more than doubled in the last 30 years.

The report also follows the July 1996 release of the first ever Surgeon General's Report on physical activity and health, which outlined the significant health benefits of regular, moderate physical activity, such as reduced risk of dying of heart disease, and developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer.

"This past July, we said to all Americans that being physically active has significant, positive health benefits. Now we are following up with solid recommendations for parents, teachers, school administrators, health officials, and community leaders to help ensure that our young people make physical activity a part of their lifestyle," said Dr. David Satcher, CDC Director. "The good news is that children don't have to be on a competitive team to get health benefits. Regular moderate physical activity, such as walking, dancing, and biking will help children now and later."

The guidelines include recommendations on 10 aspects of school and community programs to promote physical activity among young people, including policies, physical education and health curricula, extracurricular activities and community programs, and family involvement. The guidelines emphasize that physical activity promotion programs are most likely to be effective when they:

• Emphasize enjoyable participation in lifelong physical activity.
• Offer a diverse range of competitive and non-competitive activities that are appropriate for different ages and abilities
• Develop student skills and confidence to participate in physical activity.
• Provide access to safe facilities outside of school hours.