Written by Suzanne Hurley, CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity

Many people are aware that too few U.S. high school students in grades 9-12 are getting enough physical activity. But do you know which groups of high school students are getting less physical activity than others?

The findings of a recent school-based study - the CDC 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study (NYPANS) - provide the answers. The results can be found in a June issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), but here are some highlights:

More high school male students than female students met the Healthy People 2020 aerobic and muscle strengthening activity objective:

• 18.5% of male high school students
• 5.8% of female high school students

Additionally, more students met the aerobic and muscle strengthening activity objective during their early high school years.

• 15.0% of 9th graders
• 12.3% of 10th graders
• 10.7% of 11th graders
• 10.3% of 12th-graders

Nationwide, only 15.3% met the aerobic objective of the Healthy People 2020 Physical Activity objectives, 51% met the muscle-strengthening objective, and 12.2% met the objective for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.

Healthy People 2020 objectives measure recommended levels of youth physical activity and are based on the 2008 Physical Guidelines for Americans:

Youth aged 6 to 17 years need at least 1 hour of physical activity each day, and muscle strengthening activity at least 3 days a week.

To improve youth physical activity participation, efforts are needed among CDC, state and local public health agencies, schools, and other public health partners that promote physical activity.

Communities have an important role to play in supporting efforts to promote or create school-based quality physical education programs, and to create or enhance access to places for physical activity.

Listen to a Podcast on the importance of physical activity. Read more information on school guidelines and strategies.

How can you improve physical activity participation rates among all high school students?

This week, we would like to spread the word about a couple of events that may be of interest to our readers:

CDC Webinar: Measurement of Active and Sedentary Behaviors
“Closing the Gaps in Self-Report Methods”
Slides are now available from this webinar.

This six-part webinar will provide:
- An overview of physical activity as a multidimensional health behavior
- An in-depth review of methods to measure active and sedentary behaviors by self-report
- An exploration of important issues when assessing physical activity in diverse populations

National Physical Activity Plan

“Reducing Liability Concerns and Getting Kids Active through Safe Routes to School (SRTS)”

August 11, 2010 1pm EST

Registration is free.

In this webinar, participants will learn:

-The basics of liability in the context of SRTS

-How school districts, nonprofit organizations, and others can reduce their liability in SRTS programs

-How SRTS programs can leave schools with a lower risk of liability than existed prior to the program

-Best practices for implementing SRTS programs and policies

-About new resources from NPAP

Do you know of any other learning opportunities coming up?

This week we highlight some current news articles regarding physical activity as a family event.

Family Workouts Establish Bonds (source: Wisconsin Rapids Tribune) Article discusses the added benefit of relationship building that can come from participating in physical activity as a family.

Family Fitness Challenge: How to have a fun, active summer (source: USA Today) Article discusses ways for families to be active together this summer with six weekly activities.

What are some other ways for families to become involved in physical activity together?