Bicameral, Bipartisan Legislation to Establish Physical Activity Guidelines
Congressional Desk
October 22, 2009
Legislation Would Require Department of Health to Create Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans of Every Age
Washington, D.C. – Bicameral, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving America´s public health was introduced yesterday by U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Mark Udall (D-CO) and Representatives Bart Gordon (D-TN), Zach Wamp (R-TN), Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Ron Kind (D-WI). The Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prepare and promote physical activity guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Similar to the dietary and nutritional guidelines commonly known as the Food Pyramid, the physical activity guidelines would be updated every five years.
"We know that a lack of physical activity contributes to the rising rates of obesity and chronic disease that have sent our health care costs through the roof," Senator Harkin said. "Giving people reliable guidelines for the amount of physical activity they need will promote healthier lifestyles among all age groups. As we move towards comprehensive health reform, prevention and keeping people well in the first place will play a key role in reducing overall costs."
Brownback said, "The Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act provides up-to-date information on the recommended daily physical activity for all Americans. By encouraging increased physical activity for everyone, we can combat the rising rates of obesity in America. Being physically active is a key part of an over-all healthy lifestyle."
"The wealthiest country in the world should be the healthiest. This is a matter of national security and of economic competitiveness," said Senator Udall. "These guidelines are a common-sense way to improve the quality of life of many Americans."
"Regular physical activity has been shown to lower the risk of early death and many serious medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer," explained Congressman Gordon. "Regularly updating our nation´s fitness guidelines will not only help Tennesseans and individuals across our country, but it will also help schools develop more effective physical education programs."
"Tennessee has the fourth-highest overweight population, according to the Trust for America´s Health annual obesity report. The more people we can encourage to have a regimen of physical activity and take better care of themselves and their families, the better off we will be as a state and a nation," said Congressman Zach Wamp. "Publishing physical activity guidelines may help persuade Americans to live healthier lifestyles and avoid a lifetime of chronic disease."
"Regular physical activity has been proven to have many positive health benefits, including reducing obesity which is a leading cause of many serious ailments in both children and adults," said Bono Mack. "These guidelines will help Americans gain a better understanding of the level of activity needed for a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of debilitating ailments and disease, while also reducing future health care costs."
"As health care concerns plague our country, it is important that we set and continuously update these guidelines so that we can ensure the health of our nation moving forward," said Rep. Kind. "These preventative measures will help us stabilize health care costs by encouraging Americans to live healthier lifestyles and will help instill healthy physical activity habits in our children so that they grow up to lead healthy, active adult lifestyles."
More than half of Americans do not get enough daily exercise to maintain proper health. The Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act will call for guidelines for children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities, to ensure Americans understand how much exercise they should be getting. The legislation has been endorsed by more than 35 organizations, including the American Dietetic Association and the American Heart Association.
Washington, D.C. – Bicameral, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving America´s public health was introduced yesterday by U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Mark Udall (D-CO) and Representatives Bart Gordon (D-TN), Zach Wamp (R-TN), Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and Ron Kind (D-WI). The Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prepare and promote physical activity guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Similar to the dietary and nutritional guidelines commonly known as the Food Pyramid, the physical activity guidelines would be updated every five years.
"We know that a lack of physical activity contributes to the rising rates of obesity and chronic disease that have sent our health care costs through the roof," Senator Harkin said. "Giving people reliable guidelines for the amount of physical activity they need will promote healthier lifestyles among all age groups. As we move towards comprehensive health reform, prevention and keeping people well in the first place will play a key role in reducing overall costs."
Brownback said, "The Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act provides up-to-date information on the recommended daily physical activity for all Americans. By encouraging increased physical activity for everyone, we can combat the rising rates of obesity in America. Being physically active is a key part of an over-all healthy lifestyle."
"The wealthiest country in the world should be the healthiest. This is a matter of national security and of economic competitiveness," said Senator Udall. "These guidelines are a common-sense way to improve the quality of life of many Americans."
"Regular physical activity has been shown to lower the risk of early death and many serious medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer," explained Congressman Gordon. "Regularly updating our nation´s fitness guidelines will not only help Tennesseans and individuals across our country, but it will also help schools develop more effective physical education programs."
"Tennessee has the fourth-highest overweight population, according to the Trust for America´s Health annual obesity report. The more people we can encourage to have a regimen of physical activity and take better care of themselves and their families, the better off we will be as a state and a nation," said Congressman Zach Wamp. "Publishing physical activity guidelines may help persuade Americans to live healthier lifestyles and avoid a lifetime of chronic disease."
"Regular physical activity has been proven to have many positive health benefits, including reducing obesity which is a leading cause of many serious ailments in both children and adults," said Bono Mack. "These guidelines will help Americans gain a better understanding of the level of activity needed for a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of debilitating ailments and disease, while also reducing future health care costs."
"As health care concerns plague our country, it is important that we set and continuously update these guidelines so that we can ensure the health of our nation moving forward," said Rep. Kind. "These preventative measures will help us stabilize health care costs by encouraging Americans to live healthier lifestyles and will help instill healthy physical activity habits in our children so that they grow up to lead healthy, active adult lifestyles."
More than half of Americans do not get enough daily exercise to maintain proper health. The Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans Act will call for guidelines for children, adults, seniors and people with disabilities, to ensure Americans understand how much exercise they should be getting. The legislation has been endorsed by more than 35 organizations, including the American Dietetic Association and the American Heart Association.
Print
Email
