Your monthly news & updates from the Physical Activity Alliance
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Physical Activity Recommendations for Adolescents and Children: More Important Than Ever
PAA recently released a series of papers "Physical Activity Recommendations for Adolescents and Children: More Important Than Ever", with recommendations specific to each developmental level – elementary, middle school, and high school as well as sports across all developmental levels.
The purpose of this series of papers is to outline key considerations for influencers, decision makers, and the public overall from all societal sectors of our population to take action to change or enhance the landscape of physical activity promotion for the overall health of our children and youth.
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Thank You for Signing on In Support of DNPAO!
Thank you for your signing on in support of CDC's DNPAO Attached is the final letter that went to the Hill.
S.1301 Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act
ICYMI: The US Senate recently passed S.1301 “Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act” which requires the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans to be regularly updated. Next step: review the House bill H.R.2094.
Bipartisan PHIT Act Awaits Congressional Action
The PHIT Act (H.R. 3109; S. 844), which would allow for physical activity-related expenses to be paid out of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and other tax deferred health savings vehicles, is awaiting congressional action in both the House and the Senate. The bill could possibly be advanced in the context of the budget reconciliation package under consideration this month or as part of another bill later in the year.
Currently, PHIT has bipartisan support of 43 cosponsors in the House and 12 in the Senate. The lead sponsor of the legislation in the House, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), has suggested that the bill could move as a provision of President Biden’s American Families Plan, parts, or all of which are expected to be considered by Congress over the course of the remainder of the year.
GYMS Act Poised for Consideration in Reconciliation Package or Other End of Year Moving Vehicle
As the health and fitness club industry continues to face severe economic challenges due to the COVID pandemic, House and Senate champions are working hard to pass the Gyms Mitigation and Survival Act (GYMS Act) (H.R. 890; S. 1613) before Congress leaves town later this year.
The legislation, which was introduced by Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in the House and Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) in the Senate, would create a new grant program to provide much-needed support for the struggling industry which has been left out of other industry-specific support programs. To date, the legislation has attracted 156 cosponsors in the House and 24 in the Senate. Supporters in both chambers hope to advance the bill as soon as possible, either as part of the larger reconciliation package under active consideration this month or as part of another moving legislative vehicle taken up later this year.
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In the News
Rx: Exercise; The Prescription That Your Doctor May Not Give You, But Should
Regaining Physical Fitness After COVID-19
How to Be an Ally for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Your Gym
The Pandemic Is Associated With a Rise in Childhood Obesity, a Study Finds
Physical Activity Even More Critical as Students Return to the Classroom
Promoting Physical Activity Is Key to Achieving U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
Building Blocks of the Future: Boosting Kids' Immune Systems With Exercise
Study: U.S. Kids Gained Weight Faster During Pandemic, More Are Overweight, Obese
New Research Highlights Yet Another Benefit of Exercise for Your Brain
Overweight Adults Should Be Screened for Diabetes at 35, Experts Say
Choose Your PT Test
Walking 7000 Steps per Day May Reduce Mortality Risk
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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Physical Activity
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The purpose of this section is to provide physical activity resources, articles, research, and education as it relates to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
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How to Be an Ally for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Read
Creating More Accessible, Inclusive Buildings
As the U.S. debates where to invest in infrastructure, architects and disability advocates say the principles of universal design will benefit everyone. Read
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Attention Must Be Given to Struggles of Disabled People Away From Tokyo Paralympics Read
Paralympics Haven't Decreased Barriers to Physical Activity for Most People with Disabilities Read
The Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020 Can Be the Catalyst for Change in How We View Life With Disability Read
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Physical Activity Reports, Research, and Resources
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Number of States With High Obesity Prevalence Rises to 16
Yesterday, the CDC released the 2020 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Adult obesity prevalence continues to rise. The new maps show that the number of states with an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35% has nearly doubled since 2018 and disparities persist.
Up from 9 states in 2018 and twelve in 2019, the 2020 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps show that 16 states now have an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%:
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State of Obesity 2021: Better Policies for a Healthier America
The 18th annual State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America, released by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), found that social and economic factors linked to obesity were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis reports on obesity rates for every state and the District of Columbia, and by racial and ethnic groups, age, and gender.
The report includes recommendations for policy action by federal, state and local government, and across several sectors, on how best to address the social determinants of obesity.
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Types of Physical Activity Recommended by Primary Care Providers for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
New research finds that walking is the most common form of physical activity that primary care providers suggest to patients who are at risk for cardiovascular disease. However, only 59% of providers discuss physical activity with their most at-risk patients.
Also, physical activity recommendations vary by the provider’s sex, age, years in practice, and the socioeconomic status of their patients. There are more opportunities for certain primary care providers to promote walking as an easy form of activity for cardiovascular disease prevention.
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Progress and New Directions in Physical Activity Surveillance
CDC's DNPAO just released a new supplement in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health: Progress and New Directions in Physical Activity Surveillance. The 13 articles in the issue examine up to 20-year trends in aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and sitting behavior among adults and youth in the US.
Check out the one-minute video introduction on the publication and register for the first webinar in the DNPAO Seminar Series "20 Years of Progress: What we know About Physical Activity and What You Can Do" to learn more.
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Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) Recommends Classroom-Based Physical Activity Interventions
New recommendations from The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) highlight the benefits of classroom-based interventions to increase physical activity.
CPSTF recommends two classroom-based interventions to increase physical activity: physical activity breaks and physically active lessons.
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4 Low-Cost Ways to Create Safe Public Spaces Where All Kids Can Play
During COVID-19, opportunities for children to socially connect, reduce stress and play outside have been desperately needed but also greatly limited. As understanding of COVID-19 expanded, outdoor spaces emerged as an ideal place for activities to occur with limited risk.
This article how community collaborations can create opportunities for more play – and more equitable play – while also building neighborhood cohesion.
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Children's Bill of Rights In Sports
Project Play's newest resource aims to create a shared cultural understanding that all youth have the right to develop as people through sports.
When delivered well, sports participation is one of society's best tools for addressing a range of larger challenges – from obesity prevention to cancer risk reduction, gender equity to the social inclusion of people with disabilities, racial bias to the restoration of civic trust across communities.
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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back:
COVID-19’s Impact on Youth Physical Activity and Safe Routes to School
This report from Safe Routes, “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: COVID-19’s Impact on Youth Physical Activity and Safe Routes to School,” helps paint a picture of how COVID-19 has impacted physical activity for youth and families. It examines how the past year has limited opportunities for physical activity and changed the way people move throughout their communities.
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Climate Change, Air Pollution, and Physical Inactivity: Is Active Transportation Part of the Solution?
There is limited information about the association between long-term leisure time physical activity (LTPA) participation and healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between LTPA over adulthood with later life healthcare costs in the USA.
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Cross-sectional Study of Changes in Physical Activity Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among US adults
CDC authors recently published the study “Cross-sectional Study of Changes in Physical Activity Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among US Adults” which examined changes in physical activity behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic among U.S adults.
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Upcoming Events & Webinars
September 30, 2021
Webinar: 20 Years of Progress: What We Know About Physical Activity and What You Can Do
DNPAO Seminar Series
October 13-15, 2021
IHRSA 2021
Dallas, TX
October 19-20, 2021
Project Play 2021
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October 23-27, 2021
APHA 2021
Denver, CO
November 1-3, 2021
2021 AICR Research Conference
November 7-10, 2021
Lifestyle Medicine Conference 2021
January 11-13, 2022
Smart Growth America's Equity Summit
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About the Physical Activity Alliance
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The mission of the Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) is to lead efforts to create, support, and advocate policy and system changes that enable all Americans to enjoy physically active lives.
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