Developing Healthy People 2020 Physical Activity and Fitness objectives

Background: Regular physical activity (PA) has significant benefits for health as PA can reduce risk of chronic diseases and promote psychological well-being and greater longevity. Reflecting the importance of PA, PA objectives have been included in the national health goals in Healthy People (HP) 2020.

Methods: Multiple data sources have been identified to provide baselines and track PA objectives throughout the decade: National Health Interview Survey, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, School Health Policies and Programs Study, National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The presentation will describe the HP 2020 development process, revisions, modifications of HP 2010 objectives, and introduce new HP 2020 objectives.

Results: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports have been working on development of the HP 2020 objectives. In order to be included to HP 2020 objectives must meet specific criteria and have a national data source. Some of the Healthy People 2010 objectives were modified to be compliant with the 2008 Federal PA guidelines. Five HP 2010 objectives were retained, one objective was dropped. About 12 new objectives were added to the PA topic area.

Conclusion: As a result of these efforts the PA topic area has been developed and PA objectives were reviewed by Federal Interagency Workgroup and by the public. The HP 2020 launch is scheduled for December 2010. The Healthy People 2020 PA topic area will provide a framework for future public health initiatives relating to PA promotion.