Physical Activity Guidelines

On October 26, 2006, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced that the Department will develop comprehensive guidelines, drawn from science, to help Americans fit physical activity into their lives.

"Physical activity is vital to promote and maintain health, but it's easy for many of us to overlook," Secretary Leavitt said. "The physical activity guidelines will underscore the importance of physical activity to America's health and assist on the journey to a healthier life. Good health—wellness—doesn’t just happen. Wellness has to be a habit."

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans will be issued in late 2008. The Physical Activity Guidelines will summarize the latest knowledge about activity and health, with depth and flexibility targeting specific population subgroups, such as seniors and children. This effort is inspired by President Bush's personal dedication to physical fitness and his desire that every American have access to science-based guidelines.

The development of the Physical Activity Guidelines will use a Federal Advisory Committee process. Information related to the guidelines development process can be found below.

• The next and final scheduled meeting of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee will occur on February 28 and 29, 2008 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C., 20201. More information will be posted here shortly.

• View Agenda

• Minutes

• Written comments for consideration by the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee can be sent by email to PA.Guidelines@hhs.gov or by mail to:

  CAPT Richard Troiano
  ODPHP
  Tower Building, Suite LL-100
  1101 Wootton Parkway
  Rockville, MD 20852

  Please note that the charge to the Committee is to review and evaluate the scientific evidence relating physical activity to health outcomes for the general population and selected subgroups, such as youth, older adults, and persons with disabilities. The Committee's scope does not include evaluating means to increase physical activity among individuals or groups.

• Announcement of the Third Meeting of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee [HTML] [PDF]

• Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee, December 6 and 7, 2007 was held at the Wilbur J. Cohen Auditorium, 330 Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, D.C., 20201.

• View Agenda

• Minutes

• Federal Register Notice: Announcement of the Second Meeting of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee [HTML] [PDF]

• Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Meeting, June 28-29, 2007

• View Agenda

• Charter [PDF - 915 kb]

• Minutes

• Federal Register Notice: Announcement of First Meeting of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee [HTML] [PDF]

• Press Release: HHS Secretary Announces Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Members
  http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2007pres/04/pr20070427a.html

• Federal Register Notice: Announcement of Establishment of the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee and Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Committee [HTML] [PDF]

• Press Release: HHS Secretary Announces Development of Physical Activity Guidelines at National Prevention Summit http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2006pres/20061026.html

• Institute of Medicine Workshop Summary Report: Adequacy of Evidence for Physical Activity Guidelines Development http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11819.html

Development of the Physical Activity Guidelines is coordinated by HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Inquiries may be sent to PA.guidelines@hhs.gov.