More People Needing Care Spring 2014 | Page 32

IMPACTING IMPACTING HEALTH THROUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS Few lifestyle choices impact overall health as profoundly as physical activity. Making consistent lifestyle choices to exercise can be a challenge for a plethora of reasons. A common barrier to exercise is simply stated in this sentence, “I don’t have the time.” Many people have uttered these words at some point while managing numerous competing priorities. 32 Improving physical activity will dramatically improve health outcomes for Americans. However, less than half of all adults meet the 2008 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for physical activity. Adolescents are not meeting the federal guidelines of 60 minutes of physical ac ]