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