In addition to a healthy diet, physical activity is essential to good health. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that people of all ages engage in a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity (such as brisk walking) on most, if not all, days of the week. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Committee, a joint committee of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, concluded that "many adults need to participate in up to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days to prevent unhealthy weight gain, while adults who have previously lost weight may need 60 to 90 minutes of moderate physical activity daily to help avoid regain of weight. Children and adolescents need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days for the maintenance of good health and fitness and for healthy weight gain during growth." These health authorities agree that:

• Physical activity has numerous benefits for better health, including helping to control weight, reducing the risk of many chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer, as well as reducing feelings of depression and anxiety;
• Greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount (duration, frequency or intensity) of physical activity;
• Beneficial physical activity is not limited to "going to the gym," but can include many daily activities such as taking the stairs, raking leaves, pushing a stroller or even washing a car;
• Despite the known benefits of physical activity, most Americans are not getting enough exercise.

If you have questions about exercise and health, you should ask your doctor or healthcare provider. You should also check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program for the first time. For additional information, you can visit the following websites:

• Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report (2005), Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture - http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/report
• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/index.htm