HHS HealthBeat (May 18, 2012)

PALA+

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

Being active improves quality of life. The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, also known as PALA+, is a program that challenges kids and adults to be more active. PALA+ challenges us to be physically active, five days a week, for six weeks.

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

“In addition, we’ve added the nutrition component, hence the plus so it’s PALA+, encouraging you to set a nutrition goal for each of those six weeks.”

Fruits and vegetables are essential. So is drinking more water, and less sugar-sweetened drinks.

“It’s really about feeling better. On the more longer term, it’s going to help reduce our risks for heart disease, some cancers, stroke, osteoporosis, diabetes, and the like.”

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 18, 2012