The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recently released the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report. The report, available online, describes findings from the Advisory Committee’s systematic review of the scientific evidence on physical activity, fitness, and health, and will help inform the next edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. It provides a detailed summary of the disease prevention and health promotion benefits of a more physically active America that is firmly established by the latest scientific evidence.
Professors Loretta DiPietro, PhD, and Melissa Napolitano, PhD, served as member and consultant of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee respectively. The 2018 Scientific Report demonstrates that, in addition to disease prevention benefits, regular physical activity provides a variety of benefits that help individuals sleep better, feel better and perform daily tasks more easily.
The report says that “a single bout of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity will reduce blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, improve sleep, reduce anxiety symptoms, and improve cognition on the day that it is performed.”
The public, including the GW community, is encouraged to view the Scientific Report and provide written comments to the federal government at https://health.gov/paguidelines/pcd. The comment period will be open for 30 days closing on March 31, 2018.