Recently the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans" in an effort to get people of all ages and physical conditions in the U.S. moving on a daily basis.
Significantly, this is the first time the Federal government has issued comprehensive recommendations of this nature. A detailed breakdown can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/ or www.health.gov/paguidelines and, quite frankly, there is nothing earth-shattering about the specifics. In fact, research strongly suggests that people should be encouraged to exceed, rather than merely meet, these minimum levels.
I must admit that I find the necessity for such intervention to be a sad indictment on the state of our global awareness of wellness issues. Until the paradigm shifts from "cure" to "prevention" the human race will continue to look to medical science instead of our own good selves to be the custodian of public health. So yes, this development is crucial.
I'll say it again ... it's time we take responsibility for our own health and physical wellbeing. Enough consistent, unambiguous information exists for many of us to make an informed decision.
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I agree and yet see the dilemmas schools face with funding. Do they give more money to football or band? Do they cut field trips because gas is too expensive or do they cut driver's ed. Or, do they keep these options in communities that are poor or where parental supervision is minimal. (My mother is a teacher...)
I remember PE in elementary school, played a soccer goalie at 4'5" in junior high but sought the music program versus PE in high school because those were my options.
Great site! Thanks for letting me know! :)
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