The new guidelines state that at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly, as well as, 2 or more days a week of muscle-strengthening activities should be performed.  Ages 6-17 should perform at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity daily. The report demonstrates numerous health benefits including, reduced cancer risk, improved cognition, reduced fall risk, improved sleep, and reduced risk of all-cause and disease specific mortality to name a few. The full list is quite extensive and worth taking a look at Box 1 and 2 in the article.

In a time of attention to health care costs, it is estimated that $117 billion in health care costs can be saved if patients meet the above guidelines and would decrease premature mortality by about 10%. If every practicioner spent a few extra minutes counseling patients and if insurance companies would provide incentives for meeting the guidelines the state of our health care could be drastically different. Motivated to do more? Box 3-9 in the article provides example of exercises to begin counseling patients.