In addition to reducing the risk of developing chronic illnesses, the report notes that regular participation in physical activity appears to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance ability to perform daily tasks throughout life. The report contains a number of key findings in addition to the health benefits of regular moderate physical activity. More than 60 percent of adults do not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity, and 25 percent of adults are not physically active at all. Inactivity increases with age and is more common among women than men and among those with lower income and less education than among those with higher income or education. Among young people aged 12-21, almost 50 percent are not vigorously active on a regular basis.
Female adolescents are much less physically active than male adolescents.
Physical activity declines dramatically with age during adolescence. High school students' enrollment in daily physical education classes dropped from 42 percent in 1991 to 25 percent in 1995. Only 19 percent of all high school students are physically active for 20 minutes or more in physical education classes every day during the school week. More community-led efforts are needed. The CDC has launched a national physical activity initiative to provide scientific and technical leadership to spur the development of effective programs and policies to increase physical activity in schools, work sites, parks, recreation facilities, and communities.