Physical Activity Workgroup

Being physically active is one of the most important steps that people of all ages and abilities can take to improve their health. However, a large number of people don’t get enough physical activity to meet federal guidelines. For example, in 2017, only 24.3 percent of adults¹ and 20.0 percent of high school students met current federal guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity.²

Core objectives selected by the PA Workgroup aim to reduce the proportion of adults who get no physical activity and increase the proportion of adults, adolescents, and children who get enough physical activity for health benefits. In addition, the PA objectives focus on increasing the proportion of adults and adolescents who walk or bike to get to and from places, as well as increasing the proportion of children and adolescents who participate in sports. The PA objectives also aim to increase the proportion of children ages 2 to 5 years who get no more than 1 hour of screen time a day.

Developmental and research objectives highlight high-priority public health issues that lack data or evidence. The PA Workgroup selected research objectives that focus on increasing physical activity in child care centers and increasing the proportion of parents who limit screen time for children ages 6 to 17 years. As more data become available, these research objectives may become core objectives.

PA objectives and targets are aligned with several federal strategies and priorities, including the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans; Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities; and the National Youth Sports Strategy. All Healthy People 2030 core objectives meet several criteria — for example, they have baseline data, a direct impact on health, and an evidence base, and they address health disparities.