Today we talk about the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, with GW's Loretta DiPietro, PhD. She was one of 17 nationally recognized experts in physical activity and health to be appointed to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee did a systematic review of the scientific evidence over a two year period. In February 2018, they submitted a Scientific Report to the HHS Secretary. This report helped inform the new guidelines. This is the first time the federal physical activity guidance have been updated since 2008

Dr. DiPietro is a professor and outgoing chair of the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at GW’s Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is a widely published researcher with particular interest in the role of physical activity in the health of older adults. She has been awarded grants from the National Institute on Aging and the American Cancer Society, and she lectures at medical schools, public health schools and other organizations around the world.

* Dr. DiPietro referred to the 2020 Guidelines at the 29-minute mark. She meant to say the 2028 Guidelines.

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Notable Updates

The previous guidelines stated that only 10-minute bouts of physical activity counted toward meeting the guidelines. This requirement has been removed because all activity counts.

There are immediate health benefits, attainable from a single bout of activity, including reduced anxiety and blood pressure, improved quality of sleep, and improved insulin sensitivity.

There are more long-term benefits from physical activity, including improved brain health, reduced risk of eight types of cancer (previously two), reduced risk for fall-related injuries in older adults, and reduced risk of excessive weight gain.

Physical activity helps manage more chronic health conditions. It can decrease pain for those with osteoarthritis, reduce disease progression for hypertension and type 2 diabetes, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve cognition for those with dementia, multiple sclerosis, ADHD, and Parkinson’s disease.

There are new key guidelines for preschool children to be active throughout the day to enhance growth and development.

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Related Content

HHS Press Release on the News Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2018/11/12/hhs-releases-physical-activity-guidelines-americans-2nd-edition.html

Download the Complete Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition

https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/pdf/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf

Scientific Report of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee

https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/report/

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Transcript

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/transcript-new-physical-activity-guidelines-americans-gw-office-of/?published=t

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This podcast features the song “Follow Your Dreams” (freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Ho…ur_Dreams_1918) by Scott Holmes, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial (01https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) license.

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Disclaimer: The content and information shared in GW Integrative Medicine is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in GW Integrative Medicine represent the opinions of the host(s) and their guest(s). For medical advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment, please consult a medical professional.