Physical Activity

COVID-19: How to Be Physically Active While Social Distancing

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.

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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

Physical activity helps you feel better, function better, and sleep better. It also reduces anxiety. See ideas you can adapt to remain physically active while social distancing.

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

Health Equity
Physical activity is embedded in initiatives, programs, and priorities to remove environmental and systemic barriers to health.
What’s Your Role?
Active People, Healthy Nation℠ has a new information hub with case studies and other sector-specific information to promote physical activity. Learn how people in different sectors can promote physical activity for individuals and help create active communities for everyone.
Progress and New Directions in Physical Activity Surveillanceexternal icon
This supplement of the Journal of Physical Activity & Health examines up to 20-year trends in aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and sitting behavior among adults and youth in the US. The supplement also discusses the history of these surveillance data, and explores future directions, opportunities, and challenges for national physical activity surveillance.
Complete Streets Maps pdf icon[PDF-12.6MB]external icon
These updated maps by the National Complete Streets Coalition show the adoption of state, local, and regional Complete Streets Policies from 2000 to 2020 across the United States.
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Scientific Reportexternal 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.

State and Local Programs

Check out the latest state initiatives 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.

Recursos en Español

Spanish language physical activity resources for every stage of life.

Page last reviewed: September 22, 2021

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