Notice to Readers
Publication of Surgeon General's Report
On Physical Activity and Health
Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General
was released on July 11, 1996, by the Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (1). This report assesses
the role of physical activity in preventing disease and concludes
that regular physical activity reduces the risk for developing or
dying from coronary heart disease, noninsulin-dependent diabetes,
hypertension, and colon cancer; reduces symptoms of anxiety and
depression; contributes to the development and maintenance of
healthier bones, muscles, and joints; and helps control weight.
Physical activity also may help older adults maintain the ability
to live independently and help prevent falling and fractures.
The Surgeon General's report emphasizes two important
findings. First, demonstrated health benefits occur at a "moderate"
level of activity -- a level sufficient to expend about 150
calories
of energy per day, or 1000 calories per week (e.g., walking briskly
for 30 minutes each day). Second, although physical activity does
not need to be vigorous to provide health benefits, the amount of
health benefit is directly related to the amount of regular
physical activity. These conclusions suggest a flexible approach to
increasing physical activity. Because a moderate amount of physical
activity can be achieved in many ways and must be sustained
throughout life to produce benefits, persons unable or unwilling to
adhere to a structured exercise program can incorporate into their
daily lives physical activity appropriate to their personal
preferences and life circumstances. Examples of moderate activity
include playing volleyball for 45 minutes, raking leaves for 30
minutes, swimming laps for 20 minutes, playing basketball for 15-20
minutes, or running 1.5 miles in 15 minutes. These examples
illustrate the balance between duration and intensity, with less
strenuous activities requiring a longer duration to achieve the
same caloric expenditure. Moderate amounts of activity will improve
health for most of the U.S. population, who currently do not
achieve the recommended amount of physical activity (including the
25% of U.S. adults who are not physically active). Those who
currently achieve moderate amounts of physical activity on a
regular basis can obtain further benefits by increasing the
duration, intensity, or frequency of activity.
Although the study of methods to increase physical activity is
in its early stages, some efforts have demonstrated promising
results, most prominently in innovative physical education programs
in schools. Other examples of effective approaches include
counseling of patients by their physicians and, in some worksites,
promoting physical activity among employees.
This first Surgeon General's report on physical activity and
health was prepared by CDC in conjunction with academic experts in
exercise science, physiology, epidemiology, public health, and the
behavioral sciences. The President's Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports joined CDC as a collaborating partner representing the
Office of the Surgeon General. The National Institutes of Health
and the Office of Public Health and Science assisted in planning
the report, with consultation provided by the American College of
Sports Medicine, the American Heart Association, and the American
Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. The
executive summary for the report and an order form for the full
report are available from CDC, telephone toll free (888) 232-4674
({888} CDC-4NRG), and from the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov.
Reference
US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical activity
and
health: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Georgia: US
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
CDC,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion,
1996.
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