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According to a recent report from the CDC and federal department of Health and Human Services, only 23 percent of American adults aged 18 to 64 years get the recommended amount of physical activity. Federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity (or 75 minutes vigorous-intensity) per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least twice weekly. While less than a quarter of the population may seem like a small proportion, it still represents an increase in people meeting activity recommendations, and it actually exceeds a federal Healthy People 2020 goal two years ahead of schedule. Men were more likely to meet activity requirements (27%) than women (19%).
Physical activity can be as simple as a walk or time spent doing yardwork. Given the association between lack of activity and obesity and other poor health outcomes, it is hoped that more Americans step up their efforts to get moving.