Physical Activity Guidelines Updated to Include Preschool Children

Information Resources

By Evelyn Cunico, MA, MS/LIS
Posted January 09, 2019

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, Second Edition, 2018, which was released in November 2018, provides updated science-based guidance to help persons aged three years and older to improve their health through participation in regular physical activity, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The updated edition reflects new knowledge gained since the publication of the first Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, released in 2008.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, Second Edition, 2018 is meant to be used with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2015 to 2020. Together, the two documents offer guidance on the importance of being physically active and eating a healthy diet.

Achieving the benefits of physical activity depends on your own personal efforts to increase physical activity for yourself and your family and friends, according to the updated Guidelines. Action is also required locally in your community, school, and workplace.

Key Guidelines

• Preschool children, that is, children aged three through five years, should be physically active throughout the day to enhance growth and development.
• Adult caregivers of preschool children should encourage active play that includes a variety of activity types.
• Adults are no longer required to exercise in sessions of at least ten minutes. Even five minutes of physical activity provide health benefits.

To view additional Key Guidelines, see the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Second Edition, 2018. Executive Summary

Move Your Way Campaign

The primary audiences of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are health professionals and policy makers.

The Move Your Way Campaign was created by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to offer consumer tips on how you can put the Guidelines into action.

For Move Your Way resources, including fact sheets, graphics, interactive tools, and videos to help you, browse the Move Your Way Campaign website.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this blog should not replace the medical advice of your doctor. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other health condition without first consulting with your medical doctor or other healthcare provider.

Selected Information Resources

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. How Much Activity Do You Need? NIH News in Health. January 2019 issue.
Summary Note: Updated advice about physical activity goals is based on the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, Second Edition, 2018.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 07)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). About page
Summary Note: Describes education and training activities, programs, and services. Includes links to three health information websites managed by ODPHP: health dot gov, healthfinder dot gov, and HealthyPeople dot gov.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 03)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015 to 2020, Eighth Edition. Executive Summary
Summary Note: Public law requires that every five years the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) jointly publish a report containing nutritional and dietary information and guidelines for the general public. Dietary Guidelines for Americans provides guidance on eating a healthy diet to reduce the risk of chronic disease and promote good health.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 04)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Home page
Summary Note: Subject links include Food and Nutrition, Health Care Quality, Health Literacy, and Physical Activity.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 03)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. News and Events. News blog. November 12, 2018. Updated Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Now Available
Summary Note: Announces the Second Edition of Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2018.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 03)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Second Edition, 2018. Executive Summary.
Summary Note: Discusses the proven benefits of physical activity, based on knowledge gained since publication of the first Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, released in 2008. Includes new aspects, such as discussion of guidance for preschool children, aged three through five years.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 03)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Move Your Way.
Summary Note: Describes campaign called, Move Your Way, which provides tips on how to meet the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 03)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Move Your Way. Get More Information about Physical Activity
Summary Note: Physical Activity resources for persons who have specific health conditions.
(Accessed 2019 Jan 03)