The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Mid-Course Report is now available for public comment until December 10th.

The Physical Activity Guidelines Mid-Course Report: Strategies for Increasing Physical Activity Among Youth summarizes evidence-based intervention strategies for increasing physical activity in youth ages 3 to 17.

The report describes interventions for increasing activity in several key settings where youth live, play, and learn, including:

• Schools
• Preschool and Childcare Programs
  
• Communities
• Families and Homes
• Primary Care

We'd love your feedback! For more information on the PAG Mid-Course Report public comment period and to download the draft report, visit: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/midcourse.

Obesity rates continue to rise across the United States. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently estimates that more than 35% of American adults are obese, and about 17% of children and adolescents are obese.

Numerous health risks are linked to obesity. They comprise some of the most common preventable causes of death, including coronary heart disease, type II diabetes mellitus, and strokes. In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion. Efforts to decrease obesity among adults and children are crucial from a public health standpoint.

Current Physical Activity Guidelines recommend 150 minutes (or about 30 minutes, five times a week) of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. Specifically for weight loss purposes, many experts recommend longer durations of exercise - up to 60 minutes per day.

Are these longer periods of exercise necessary for optimal weight loss? Does the extra time increase fat loss? Or is there a compensation effect whereby the body adjusts to the additional exercise?

In a paper published recently in the American Journal of Physiology, studied this question using samples of overweight, sedentary men. The authors compared a group which performed 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise for 13 weeks to one which performed 60 minutes per day.

The authors compared the groups based on body fat loss, as well negative accumulated energy balance, which they calculated from the changes in body composition.

Participants who performed 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day experienced the same amount of body fat loss compared to those who performed 60 minutes per day. Surprisingly, the overweight men who exercised 30 minutes per day had a much greater than predicted negative energy balance. There was no additional benefit obtained by doing 60 minutes of exercise per day.

The authors concluded that while one group of overweight men performed twice the amount of daily aerobic exercise, the decrease in body weight and body fat was no greater than the group that performed half as much.

This study provides good news to overweight individuals who want to start an exercise regimen to lose weight and body fat. Since many of these people do not regularly exercise, starting with 30 minutes per day might be more appealing. They might be more likely to stick to the shorter programs.

When it comes to obesity and weight loss, any exercise seems better than none at all. While we need much more research to find ideal nutritional changes and specific exercise recommendations, Americans of all ages can at least start with moderate amounts of exercise each day.

What do you think about this study and its findings? Will it make you more likely to try to perform physical activity each day?

By: Katrina Butner (See full bio)

I have defined myself as an athlete since the age of 4 when my parents signed me up to play soccer. My love of the sport continued though school and culminated with a scholarship to play for a division 1 team.

When I first think of Title IX, athletics comes to mind. But Title IX afforded women opportunities far beyond the playing field. The recent 40th Anniversary of Title IX on June 23rd provided a respite to pause and reflect on the opportunities I have had as a female, both in athletics and in academics, and consider the progress we have made as a country. Since 1972, high school athletics have increased 10-fold, with a six-fold increase at the collegiate level, and the proportion of female professors in science and mathematics has more than doubled!

I had the opportunity to attend a Title IX Anniversary event hosted by the Women's Hall of Fame with members of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition this week. This was a great experience to learn from those who directly influenced Title IX, including former Senator Birch Bayh, who is known as the "grandfather of Title IX."

I never thought twice about attending the college of my choice, or then pursuing a graduate degree. During the anniversary event, several esteemed members of a panel spoke on their experiences prior to Title IX. Before 1972, there were limited options for women in higher education, often with small quotas of 10% or even 0% of women allowed to be enrolled at a University.

As a competitive runner, I loved hearing Katherine Switzer recount her experience as the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967. Did you know that soon after starting the race, the race director attempt to remove her when he realized a woman was running? Luckily, she was able to continue running - with new motivation. Dr. Condoleezza Rice delivered the keynote address and spoke eloquently on her experiences as an athlete and her wish to help empower women to continue to reach for their goals.

Want to learn more about Title IX and the perspectives of other female athletes? The President's Council has more information on their website, including blog posts by Council Members Billie Jean King and Michelle Kwan, and a video clip from Billie Jean King on the important of equal opportunities in sports.

Overall, there have been great advances for women in the past 40 years, both on and off the field, but we still have a long way to go to ensure equity for girls and women in sports.

Have you or your family members benefited from Title IX? Share your story here!