Recommendations from Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

Regular physical activity promotes good health. Whatever their age or abilities, being physically active is one of the most important steps Americans can take to improve their well being. Physical activity decreases the risk of many chronic diseases—including heart disease, stroke, colorectal and breast cancers, and type 2 diabetes—and can help maintain healthy weight or reduce weight. On average, direct annual medical costs for people over age 15 who are physically active are $1,019, while the costs for physically inactive people average $1,349 annually, a difference paid in part by states through Medicaid and state employee benefits. A recent study that assessed community-based physical activity interventions found they were cost-effective, reduced new cases of many chronic diseases, and improved quality of life. New cases of disease per 100,000 people were reduced by five to 15 cases for colon cancer, 15 to 58 cases for breast cancer, 59 to 207 cases for type 2 diabetes, and 140 to 476 cases for heart disease.In October 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued its first set of