The second edition of the PhysicalActivity Guidelines for Americans was released this November and includes several notable updates. According to the report, the United States currently has low levels of adherence to the guidelines. Only 26 percent of men, 19 percent of women, and 20 percent of teens meet the recommendations. Adults need 150 minutes of moderate- to-vigorous aerobic activity each week, with muscle strengthening activities two days a week to stay healthy. Children and teens ages 6 to 17 years need 60 minutes of moderate-to- vigorous physical activity each day. A notable change in the second edition is the removal of the “10-minute requirement.” The previous guidelines stated a minimum of 10-minute bouts of physical activity would count toward meeting the guidelines. But now, according to the HHS, every second counts, so get up and get moving any way you can, even if just for a minute or two several times throughout the day.

SOURCE: HHS Releases Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition [news release]. Chicago, IL: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Media Office; Nov. 12, 2018. NHR