Bright Futures in Practice: Physical Activity provides guidelines on physical activity from infancy through adolescence. It also includes tools and strategies to help physicians incorporate physical activity counseling into their practices and to involve families and communities as partners in promoting physical activity. New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts are also included.

Parents, teachers, athletic coaches, community leaders and other health professionals can use the guide to get tips on what physical activities are appropriate for a child's age. They can get advice on nutrition, for example, to help children avoid obesity and suggestions on how to involve children with asthma in sports and exercise.

Bright Futures in Practice: Physical Activity is part of a series of guidelines developed under HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Bright Futures Project. Its mission is to improve the health and education of young people, their families and communities. Other Bright Futures in Practice guidelines focus on oral health and nutrition.

The physical activity guide can be ordered online at http://www.brightfutures.org/orderform/index.html. Printed copies are available from the National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse at 1-888-434-4624.  

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