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Physical Activity Guidelines for All Americans, Including Youth
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued the
2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. These guidelines, the
first to be issued by the federal government, present science-based
recommendations to help persons aged 6 years or older improve their health
through physical activity.
Included in these guidelines is a chapter dedicated to physical activity
recommendations for youth. The youth guidelines reflect the most up-to-date
research about youth physical activity and its associated health benefits. The
specific guidelines are as follows:
- Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity daily.
- Aerobic: Most of the 60 or more minutes a day should be either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity at least 3 days a week.
- Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
- Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
- It is important to encourage young people to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable, and that offer variety.
The
youth guidelines chapter also provides examples of moderate- and
vigorous-intensity aerobic activities and muscle- and bone-strengthening
activities for children and adolescents.
For more information or to download copies of the 2008 Physical Activity
Guidelines for Americans, visit—
HHS Physical Activity
Guidelines Web Site
Chapter 3: Active Children and Adolescents
CDC Physical
Activity Web Site
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