Physical Activity

Active People, Healthy Nation: Creating an Active America, Together. Active People, Healthy Nation is a national initiative by CDC and its partners. Our goal is to save lives and protect health by helping 25 million Americans become more physically active.

Join Today!

Improve health, quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs

Physical Inactivity is Too High

Find differences in state, race, ethnicity.

Connecting Routes + Destinations

Combined built environment approaches to increase physical activity

Walkable Infrastructures

Environmental Supports for Physical Activity National Health Interview Survey, 2015

STEP IT UP! The Surgeon General' Call to Action

Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities

Regular physical activity helps improve your overall health and fitness, and reduces your risk for many chronic diseases.

About Physical Activity

Why it matters, what CDC is doing, and making a difference

Data & Statistics

Statistics, reports, and surveillance systems

Community Strategies

Strategies to increase physical activity

Worksite Physical Activity

Physical activity at work and worksite walking programs

Physical Activity Basics

Needs, benefits, and resources

Resources & Publications

Reports, recommendations, and fact sheets

Walking

Walking and walkability

Active People, Healthy Nation ^SM

Creating an active America, together

In The Spotlight

Status Report for Step it Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communitiespdf icon [PDF-1.3MB]
The Status Report summarizes the state of walking and walkability when the Call to Action was released, as well as selected activities done since the release to sustain the messages and promote the goals established by the U.S. Surgeon General.

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americansexternal icon
This report summarizes the scientific evidence on physical activity and health, and will be used by the government to develop the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Youth Compendium of Physical Activitiesexternal icon
A helpful list of 196 common activities in which youth participate and the estimated energy cost associated with each activity.

Promoting Airport Walking: A Guidepdf icon [PDF-2.35MB]
The guide was developed as part of CDC’s Walk to Fly project to encourage airport travelers (through point of decision signage) to make active choices.

State and Local Programs

Check out the latest state initiatives and news related to nutrition, physical activity, overweight and obesity

Lack of Physical Activity

Learn how people of all ages and conditions can benefit from more physical activity.

Page last reviewed: February 7, 2020

Content source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion