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Health Professional Resources
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Community and Environmental Approaches
ACES: Active Community Environments
Initiative
Active Community Environments Initiative (ACES) is a CDC-sponsored initiative to
promote walking, bicycling, and the development of accessible recreation
facilities.
Designing & Building
Healthy Places
This CDC Web promotes healthy community design. The interaction
between people and their environments, natural as well as human-made,
continues to emerge as a major issue concerning public health.
Promoting Physical Activity: A Guide for Community Action
This handbook is a guide to community behavior change. Using a social marketing
and behavioral science approach to intervention planning, the text guides
you step-by-step in addressing your target population's understanding and
skills, the social networks, the physical environments in which they live
and work, and the policies that most influence their actions. By
discovering what matters most to the people you want to reach, you'll be
able to create physical activity programs and messages that your specific
audience wants, needs, and is ready for.
Promoting Physical Activity Through Trails
There is now scientific evidence that providing access to places for
physical activity increases the level of physical activity in a community.
Trials offer an opportunity for people to participate in physical activity
in a natural setting.
Related Information:
National Partnership
Promotes Health and
Recreation
StairWELL to Better Health
This CDC study assesses whether making stairwells visually appealing with
art and signs motivates employees to use them, shows promising results.
Worksite Walkability: Are your
employees walking at work?
A walkability audit tool is designed to broadly assess pedestrian
facilities, destinations, and surroundings along and near a walking route
and identify specific improvements that would make the route more
attractive and useful to pedestrians. Using CDC’s Walkability Audit from
this site can help you assess the safety or attractiveness of the walking
routes at your worksite."
Data and Statistics
Healthy People 2010
Healthy People 2010 is the prevention agenda for the nation. It is a statement of
national health objectives designed to identify the most significant
preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce
these threats.
International
Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ)*
The International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) provides a set of well-developed instruments that can be used
internationally to obtain comparable physical activity estimates.
An Explanation of U.S. Physical Activity Surveys
Using several different national surveys, physical activity is tracked
in many age groups and at several levels for the United States national
public health objectives. This report provides a background for
understanding and comparing each of these surveys and methods.
Physical Activity Levels Among Children Aged 9–13 Years
— United States, 2002
MMWR August 22, 2003; 52(33):785–788
Also available in an
Acrobat Reader file (PDF - 576K).
This report presents data from the Youth Media Campaign Longitudinal Survey
(YMCLS), which indicate that 61.5% of children aged 9–13 years do not
participate in any organized physical activity during their nonschool hours
and that 22.6% do not engage in any free-time physical activity. Improving
levels of physical activity among this population will require innovative
solutions that motivate children and that address parents' perceived
barriers to their children engaging in physical activity.
Prevalence of Physical Activity, Including Lifestyle Activities Among
Adults — United States, 2000–2001
MMWR August 15, 2003, 52(32):764–769
This report presents data from responses to the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System (BRFSS) leisure-time activity questions and the updated
lifestyle activity questions of the 2001 BRFSS to compare overall U.S.- and
state-specific prevalence estimates for adults who engaged in physical
activities consistent with recommendations from both survey years. The
findings indicate that even with a more complete measure of physical
activity than used previously, the majority of U.S. adults are not
physically active at levels that can promote health.
U.S. Physical
Activity Statistics
What percent of the population in your city and state is physically active?
Find out in the physical activity statistics database. Search by
demographics and physical activity levels for a metropolitan area, state,
or national estimate.
Economic Impact
Changes in Physical Activity and Short-term Changes in Health care
Charges: A Prospective Cohort Study of Older Adults
Martinson BC, Crain AL, Pronk NP, O'Connor PJ, Maciosek MV. Changes in
physical activity and short-term changes in health care charges: A
prospective cohort study of older adults. Preventive Medicine 2003
37(4):319–326.
Cost Analysis of Built Environment: The Case of Bike/Pedestrian
Trails in Lincoln, Nebraska
Wang G, Macera C, Scudder-Soucie B, Schmid T, Pratt M, Buchner D, Heath G.
Cost analysis of built environment: The case of bike/pedestrian trails in
Lincoln, Nebraska. American Journal of Public Health April 2004;
94(4):549–553.
Cost-benefit Analysis of Walking to Prevent Coronary Heart Disease
Jones TF, Easton CB. Cost-benefit analysis of walking to prevent
coronary heart disease. Archives of Family medicine 1994;3(8):703–710.
Cost Effectiveness of a Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Development in
Health Promotion
Wang G, Macera C, Scudder-Soucie B, Schmid T, Pratt M, Buchner D. Cost
effectiveness of a bicycle/pedestrian trail development in health
promotion. Preventive Medicine February 2004; 38(2):237–242.
Economic Burden of Cardiovascular Disease Associated with Excess Body
Weight in US Adults
Wang G, Zheng ZJ, Heath G, Macera C, Pratt M, Buchner D. Economic burden of
cardiovascular disease associated with excess body weight in US adults,
American Journal of Preventive Medicine July 2002;23(1):1–6.
Economic Costs of Obesity and Inactivity
Colditz GA. Economic costs of obesity and inactivity. Medicine and Science in Sports
and Exercise 1999;31(Suppl 11):S663–S667.
External Costs of a Sedentary Lifestyle
Keeler EB, Manning WG, et al. The external costs of a sedentary
lifestyle. American Journal of Public Health 1989;79(8):975–981.
Higher Direct Medical Costs Associated With Physical Inactivity
Pratt M, Macera CA, Wang G. Higher direct medical costs associated with physical inactivity.
The Physician and Sports Medicine 2000;28(10):63–70.
Impact of Physical Activity on Medical Expenditures Among Adults
Downhearted and Blue
Wang G, Brown D. Impact of physical activity on medical expenditures among
adults downhearted and blue. American Journal of Health Behavior.
May/June 2004;28(3):208–217.
Inactivity-Associated Medical Costs Among US Adults with Arthritis
Wang G, Helmick CG, Macera C, Zhang P, Pratt M. Inactivity-associated
medical costs among US adults with arthritis, Arthritis Care & Research
2001; 45:439–445.
Relationship Between Modifiable Health Risks and Short-term Health Care Charge
Pronk NP, Goodman MJ, O'Connor PJ, Martinson BC. Relationship between modifiable health risks
and short-term health care charge. Journal of the American Medical
Association 1999;282(23):2235–2239.
Older Adults
Growing Stronger: Strength
Training for Older Adults
Growing Stronger is an exercise program based upon sound scientific
research involving strengthening exercises — exercises that have been shown
to increase the strength of your muscles, maintain the integrity of your
bones, and improve your balance, coordination, and mobility. In addition,
strength training can help reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic
diseases, including arthritis.
National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Age 50 and
Older
This report represents a renewed and aggressive commitment to meet the
challenges of enabling midlife and older Americans to be more physically
active. It offers recommendations for overcoming barriers to physical
activity among adults 50 and over in five health arenas: research, home and
community, workplace, health care systems, and policy.
National Blueprint Office Awards Mini-Grants to Community Physical Activity
Programs*
The National Blueprint: Increasing Physical Activity Among Adults Aged
50 and Over has awarded 20 community programs and coalitions to help
midlife and older adults live active lifestyles.
Prevalence of Health-care Providers Asking Older Adults About Activity Levels
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of health-care providers asking
older adults about their physical activity levels-United States, 1998.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51(19):412–414.
Promoting Active Lifestyles Among Older Adults
(PDF - 723K)
This report provides a brief literature review on physical activity and aging.
It also introduces a collaborative approach to achieving the public health
goal of a more physically active older population.
The Role of Midlife and Older Consumers In Promoting Physical Activity
Through Health Care Settings (PDF - 234K)
Conference Report, October 2, 2002, Washington, D.C.
This report provides recommendations from a national meeting of health and
communications professionals that address the roles older consumers might
play in promoting physical activity in the health care setting. The roles
of health care providers, aging services, researchers, and the media are
also addressed.
Strength
Training Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older — United States, 2001
Data from the 2001 National Health Interview Survey showed
that 11% of adults aged 65 years and older engaged in strength training two or
more days per week. Older adults, even those who are physically active, are
missing opportunities to improve their overall health and fitness through
regular strength training and should be encouraged to include strength
training as part of their lives.
Also available in an
Adobe Acrobat file (PDF - 350K).
Policy and Legislation
State Legislative Information
The Legislative Database contains summaries of state legislative bills
related to nutrition and physical activity from 2001 to present. Links are
provided to each state legislature site to obtain the full-text version of
the bill.
Physical Activity Evaluation Handbook
Assess and improve your programs with this user-friendly guide!
Agita São
Paulo Program
http://www.agitasp.com.br/english/promotion.asp*
The Brazilian program, Agita São Paulo was launched on December 5,
1996, supported by the State's Health Department. The Agita São
Paulo program is coordinated by the Physical Fitness Research Center
from São Caetano do Sul - CELAFISCS, under the direction of Dr. Victor
Matsudo. The program is based both on scientific epidemiological evidence
as well as on the behavior stages model. The program's goal is to positively influence the participation of the general
population in daily, active living. Agita São Paulo promotes active lifestyles and health messages
that
specifically target various groups of the population.
KidsWalk-to-School
CDC has developed KidsWalk-to-School, a guide that encourages individuals and
organizations to work together to identify and create safe walking routes
to school.
National Bone Health Campaign
Powerful Bones. Powerful Girls.TM educates and encourages girls aged 9 to 12 years
and their parents to establish lifelong, healthy habits including physical activity that
build and maintain strong bones.
PEP: A Personal Energy Plan
The Personal Energy Plan or PEP is a 12-week self-directed, worksite program to
promote healthy eating and moderate physical activity. The program
materials include workbooks for healthy eating and physical activity
targeting employees based on their readiness to change. A coordinator's
kit, promotional brochures, and posters are also included in the program.
Physical Activity: Ready. Set. It’s Everywhere You Go! - Tool Kit
This
CDC guide to promotes moderate physical activity. The resources and
materials found in this tool kit include social marketing strategies,
program and event ideas, and media tools.
RAFA*
La Red de Actividad Fìsca de las Amèricas (RAFA)/The Physical Activity
Network of the Americas (PANA) objective is to create a network of national
and international members of public and private institutions to promote
health and quality of life through physical activity.
smallstep.gov
The Small Step program encourages Americans to make small activity and
dietary changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The Department of Health
and Human Services Web site provides, success stories, Small Step tips, and
other resources for maintaining and losing weight.
StairWELL to Better Health
This CDC study assesses whether making stairwells visually appealing with
art and signs motivates employees to use them, shows promising results.
State-based Physical Activity Program Directory
This internet-based, searchable directory presents information about physical
activity programs involving state departments of health. It is searchable
by state and other key categories. Each brief program description includes
information about partner organizations, status, scope, target population,
setting, purpose, program components, evaluation, and products.
Additionally, physical activity contact information for each state is
provided. Use the directory to gain ideas for new programs and to identify
strengths and gaps in programming at the state and national levels. Search
for programs in other states or update your state's information with just a
few clicks!
Steps to a HealthierUS
Steps to a HealthierUS is a initiative from the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) that advances President George W. Bush’s
HealthierUS goal of helping Americans live healthier lives.
Youth Media
Campaign
"The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Media Campaign, VERB focuses on getting
youth excited about increasing physical activity in their lives, while
helping parents, educators, and youth leaders see the importance of
physical activity to the overall health of tweens. For additional
information and to view the online site for tweens visit
VERBnow.com.
Recommendations
Effective Population-level Strategies to Promote Physical Activity
The Guide to Community Preventive Services has released evidence-based
recommendations on effective population-level interventions to promote
physical activity. An in-depth review of the evidence and recommendations,
including information about how the reviews were conducted and commentaries
from leading subject matter experts, has been published in the May 2002
supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Increasing Physical Activity: A Report on Recommendations
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Increasing physical activity: a report on recommendations
of the task force on community preventive services. Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report 2001;50(RR-18):1–16.
Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical
activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion; 1996. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/sgr.htm
Accessed December 19, 2002.
Training
Physical
Activity & Public Health (PAPH) Courses*
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Nutrition and
Physical Activity and the University of South Carolina School of Public
Health, Prevention Center offers annual training courses on physical
activity and public health. These courses serve to better prepare
researchers and practitioners to conduct physical activity research and
community-based initiatives and interventions to promote physical activity.
In September 2004, the practitioners and researchers course will be offered
for the 10th year. Acceptance into the program is done on a competitive
basis. Approximately 25 fellows are accepted for each course.
Youth
Barriers to Children Walking and Biking to School
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Barriers to children walking and biking to school-United States, 1999.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51(32):701–704.
Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn: A School Health Policy Guide*
Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn provides direction on establishing an overall
policy framework for school health programs and specific policies on
physical activity, healthy eating, and tobacco-use prevention. It is
designed for use by states, school districts, and individual schools,
public or private.
KidsWalk-to-School
CDC has developed KidsWalk-to-School, a guide that encourages individuals
and organizations to work together to identify and create safe walking
routes to school.
National Bone Health
Campaign
Powerful Bones. Powerful Girls.TM Educates
and encourages girls aged 9 to 12 years to establish lifelong, healthy
habits that build and maintain strong bones.
Physical Activity Brochures for Parents, Teachers, and Principals to
Increase Physical Activity Among Youth
These brochures contain photos, motivating messages, and specific activity
ideas for home, school, and community. The parents' brochure is available
in English and Spanish versions.
Physical Activity Levels Among Children Aged 9–13 Years
— United States, 2002
MMWR August 22, 2003; 52(33):785–788
Also available in an
Acrobat Reader file (PDF - 576K).
This report presents data from the Youth Media Campaign Longitudinal Survey
(YMCLS), which indicate that 61.5% of children aged 9–13 years do not
participate in any organized physical activity during their non-school hours
and that 22.6% do not engage in any free-time physical activity. Improving
levels of physical activity among this population will require innovative
solutions that motivate children and that address parents' perceived
barriers to their children engaging in physical activity.
Powerful
Bones. Powerful Girls.TM Web Site for
Girls
The Powerful Bones. Powerful Girls. Web site has been updated with new
poetry, exciting food ideas, and an informative and interactive section on
reading food labels.
Powerful
Bones. Powerful Girls. Web
Site for Parents
A new Web site for parents with resources and creative ways to help your
daughters make healthy choices that build and maintain strong bones.
Prevalence of Physical Activity, Including Lifestyle Activities Among
Adults — United States, 2000–2001
MMWR August 15, 2003, 52(32):764–769
This report presents data from responses to the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System (BRFSS) leisure-time activity questions and the updated
lifestyle activity questions of the 2001 BRFSS to compare overall U.S.- and
state-specific prevalence estimates for adults who engaged in physical
activities consistent with recommendations from both survey years. The
findings indicate that even with a more complete measure of physical
activity than used previously, the majority of U.S. adults are not
physically active at levels that can promote health.
School Health Index for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating
The School Health Index is a self-assessment and planning tool that will enable schools to identify
the strengths and weaknesses of their physical activity and nutrition
policies and programs; develop an action plan for improving student health;
and involve teachers, parents, students, and the community in improving
school services.
School Transportation Modes-Georgia, 2000
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. School transportation modes-Georgia, 2000.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51(32):704–705.
Youth Media
Campaign
"The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Media Campaign, VERB focuses on getting
youth excited about increasing physical activity in their lives, while
helping parents, educators, and youth leaders see the importance of
physical activity to the overall health of tweens. For additional
information and to view the online site for tweens visit
VERBnow.com.
*Links to non-Federal organizations are provided
solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any
organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The
CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages
found at this link.
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