HHS HealthBeat (May 9, 2012)

Getting real about fitness

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Age is no excuse. Young or old, we should all be physically active. For adults, that means 30 minutes of activity a day, five days a week. For kids, that means 60 minutes of activity a day, five days a week. You can also count your steps using a pedometer. Experts say adults should walk 8,500 steps a day. Kids should walk around 12,000 steps a day. 

Shellie Pfohl is executive director of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

“Just because we’re aging does not mean that we are going to get heart disease. It does not mean that diabetes is in our future. We have got to take care of ourselves now.”

 Being active reduces your risk for heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, osteoporosis, and diabetes. 

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: May 9, 2012