New Guidelines For Physical Activity

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced new physical activity guidelines today, the first update since 2008. The reason is rooted in the fact that today’s workforce spends a lot more time seated, burning an estimated 140 calories fewer than the average worker in 1960. Here’s a sample of these new recommendations.

KEY GUIDELINES

Preschool Children

Children between the ages of 3 and 5 should participate in a variety of physical activities throughout the day to enhance growth and development.

Children & Adolescents

From age 6 through 17, individuals should engage in at least an hour of moderate to vigorous aerobic and muscle strengthening activity at least 3 days a week.

Adults

Sitting less and moving more is recommended. Adults should strive to perform 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic effort each week or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity effort. Muscle strengthening exercises should be performed 2 or more days per week.