Physical Activity repeats as a topic area for Healthy People 2020.  This is the first release of HP since the 2008 introduction of the nation’s first  Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG). The Physical Activity objectives for Healthy People 2020 reflect the strong state of the science supporting the health benefits of regular physical activity among youth and adults, as identified in the PAG. Regular physical activity includes participation in moderate and vigorous physical activities and muscle-strengthening activities.

More than 80 percent of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Similarly, more than 80 percent of adolescents do not do enough aerobic physical activity to meet the guidelines for youth. Working together to meet Healthy People 2020 targets via a multidisciplinary approach is critical to increasing the levels of physical activity and improving health in the United States.

The Physical Activity objectives for 2020 highlight how physical activity levels are positively affected by:

• Structural environments, such as the availability of sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and parks
• Legislative policies that improve access to facilities that support physical activity

New to Healthy People 2020 are objectives related to policies targeting younger children through:

• Physical activity in childcare settings
• Television viewing and computer usage
• Recess and physical education in the Nation’s public and private elementary schools

The specific list of objectives (and their short titles) listed in Physical Activity is listed below.  Each measurable objective contains a data source and a national baseline value. The baselines use valid and reliable data derived from currently established and, where possible, nationally representative data systems. Baseline data provide the point from which a 2020 target is set.  View a list of physical activity objectives complete with their targets, national data source, etc. here.

PA–1           No leisure-time physical activity

PA–2           Adult aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activity

PA–3           Adolescent aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activity

PA–4           Daily physical education in schools

PA–5           Adolescent participation in daily school physical education

PA–6           Regularly scheduled recess

PA–7           Time for recess

PA–8           Child and adolescent screen time

PA–9           Physical activity policies in child care settings

PA–10         Access to school physical activity facilities

PA–11         Physician counseling about physical activity

PA–12         Worksite physical activity

PA–13         Active transportation – walking

PA–14         Active transportation – bicycling

PA–15         Built environment policies