Representatives Moore, Panetta Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Active and Healthier Lifestyles
WASHINGTON — Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to promote active and healthier lifestyles and establish reliable guidelines on healthy standards for physicians, lawmakers, educators, and the public. The Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish a decennial document titled "Physical Activity Recommendations (PAR) for Americans."
“As Chair of the House Budget Committee’s Health Care Task Force, I’m always looking at what drives costs in our health system. Declining physical activity has been linked to over $100 billion in annual health care costs. Beyond the financial implications, sedentary lifestyles also pose a significant threat to Americans’ long-term quality of life," Rep. Moore said. "Young students and adults in many professions often don’t prioritize regular physical exercise or don’t know where to start. The recommendations that will come as a result of this bill will be a tremendous resource for parents, schools, lawmakers, and health providers as we help each other stay active.”
“The federal government's physical activity recommendations must be based on the latest science,” Rep. Panetta said. “The Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act would codify regular updates in exercise standards to make sure Americans are able to invest in their health in smart and informed ways. An active lifestyle is one of the best preventative medicines, and by keeping ourselves informed, we can promote healthier habits in California's 19th Congressional District and across the country."
“We applaud and fully support the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act,” said American College of Sports Medicine President Carrie Jaworski, MD, FACSM. We commend Congressman Blake Moore and Congressman Jimmy Panetta for their commitment to providing the most current, evidenced-informed physical activity recommendations for all demographic groups.”
“ACSM and its members have worked tirelessly to ensure the Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act becomes law,” said ACSM Chief Executive Officer Katie Feltman, CAE. “When it does, we will stand ready to lend our scientific expertise to HHS as we work together to facilitate better health through increased physical activity.”
PAR for Americans would include:
- Recommendations on fitness and physical activity for Americans for the general public based on the latest science.
- Mid-decade addenda on best practices related to a specific issue that may be of contemporary interest or relevance.
Background:
The Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 40% of adults and 19% of youth are considered obese. Obesity can lead to a variety of chronic or life-threatening diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers. A widespread lack of physical activity is a significant contributor to the increased onset of these conditions, which greatly diminishes Americans’ quality of life and costs health systems over $100 billion annually.
In 2008, the Bush Administration published the first-ever “Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) for Americans.” It includes specific recommendations for children, adults, seniors, pregnant and postpartum mothers, the disabled, and those with chronic mental conditions. It was designed to be a reliable primary source for lawmakers, physical educators, health providers, and the public on the amount, types, and intensity of physical activity needed to lead a healthy life. In 2018, the Trump Administration commissioned the second edition of PAG, though there is no formal administrative process for subsequent revisions.
Read the full bill here and find a full list of supporters here.
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