reported being obese that year; and
WHEREAS, Children and teens in the United States experienced,
on average, a doubling of their average body mass index between
2018 and 2020; and
WHEREAS, According to the current Physical Activity
Guidelines for Americans, every week adults need 150 minutes of
moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle
strengthening, and children and adolescents need 60 minutes or
more of physical activity daily through a combination of
aerobic, muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activities;
and
WHEREAS, The CDC reported that only 24.2% of adults in the
United States 18 years of age and older met both aerobic and
muscle-strengthening activities guidelines established by the
2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans; and
WHEREAS, The 2022 United States Report Card on Physical
Activity for Children and Youth reported that only 21% of United
States children and youth between 6 and 17 years of age met the
recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvanians who participate in regular physical
activity reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and
metabolic syndrome, reduce the risk of serious outcomes from
infectious diseases, including COVID-19, the flu and pneumonia,
and lower the risk of developing several common cancers; and
WHEREAS, Physical activity has also been shown to benefit
brain health, weight management, bone and muscle strengthening
and the performance of everyday activities; and
WHEREAS, Exercise and recreational activities enhance
Pennsylvanians' mental health and overall sense of well-being;
and
20240HR0409PN2993 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30