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Physical Activity
Regular physical activity has benefits across the lifespan (Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition ). Among children, it can improve fitness, bone health, attention, and some measures of academic performance. Among adults, it can lower the risk of high blood pressure, improve mental health, reduce arthritis, and prevent weight gain. And among older adults, physical activity can reduce the risk of falling, improve balance and joint mobility, prevent weak bones and muscle loss, and delay onset of cognitive decline.
Pages
This summary of CPSTF findings to increase physical activity can be used as a reference, included in presentations, or shared with colleagues.
Implementation Products
Active People, Healthy NationSM
This CDC initiative aims to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. The initiative promotes CPSTF-recommended strategies that work at the state and local level and includes links to data and implementation resources. The initiative is based on a foundation of inclusion and health.
Connecting Routes + Destinations
Developed by CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity in collaboration with The Community Guide
This package of online resources is designed to help communities implement combined built environment approaches to increase physical activity. By improving and connecting routes to destinations, communities can make it easier for people to choose to be physically active.
The Active Communities Tool (ACT): An Action Planning Guide and Assessment Modules to Improve Community Built Environments to Promote Physical Activity
Developed by CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity in collaboration with The Community Guide
This CDC tool supports cross-sector teams working within a municipality to improve built environments for physical activity. It includes an action planning guide and assessment modules
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition
Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
CDC’s Health Impact in 5 Years (HI-5) Initiative
HI-5 highlights non-clinical, community-wide approaches that have evidence reporting 1) positive health impacts, 2) results within five years, and 3) cost effectiveness and/or cost savings over the lifetime of the population or earlier. The website features links to implementation resources and success stories that can help communities get started.
School-based Programs to Increase Physical Activity
Public Transportation System Introduction or Expansion
Webinars
Active Transportation for Healthy Communities (November 29, 2018)
Developed by America Walks
Built Environment Interventions to Increase Physical Activity: Community Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations (October 11, 2017)
Developed by the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research in collaboration with The Community Guide
Community Guide In Action: Stories from the Field
At MD Anderson, Wellness Starts in the Neighborhood
CityHealth Gives Local Communities Evidence-Based Tools to Improve Health
CPSTF Built Environment Recommendation Gets Communities Moving
Creating Walkable Communities in Rural North Carolina
Walkable Communities: Video – 8:55
Enhanced Physical Education in Illinois: Improving Health and Reducing Chronic Disease
Evidence-Based Recommendations Get Minnesotans in the Groove
Familias Sanas y Activas: Improving Health among Latinos in San Diego
Healthy Schools Equal Healthy Kids
Investing in Worksite Wellness for Employees
It Takes a Village: Rural Residents Help Make Their Community Healthier
Mobilizing Funding Support to Battle Overweight and Obesity
Planning a Strategy: Changing the Way a County Health Department Addresses Health Conditions
Putting the Community Guide to Work at Workplaces: Partnering to Reach Employers
Rural Community Works Together to Stay "Fun and Fit"
Using Innovative Technology to Increase Physical Activity
What Works – Fact Sheets
One Pagers
Built Environment Approaches to Increase Physical Activity
Classroom-based Physical Activity Break Interventions
Classroom-based Physically Active Lesson Interventions
Digital Health Interventions for Adults 55 Years and Older
Family-Based Interventions to Increase Physical Activity Among Children
Interventions Including Activity Monitors for Adults with Overweight or Obesity
Interventions to Increase Active Travel to School
Community Guide News
Developed by The Community Guide
Activity Monitors Boost Physical Activity Interventions
Combined Built Environment Features Help Communities Get Active
Community Preventive Services Task Force Recommends Enhanced School-Based Physical Education
CPSTF Recommends Classroom-based Physical Activity Interventions
Digital Health Interventions Increase Physical Activity Among Adults 55 Years and Older
Interventions for the Whole Family Get Kids Moving
Interventions to Increase Active Travel to School
New Publication Features Economic Benefits of Active Travel to School