True-Sport-Report

In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services released its 2008
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans:
Be Active, Healthy, and Happy, representing
the first major review of the science on the
benefits of physical activity in more than a
decade. It describes what has been learned
through research on physical activity and
health and provides information about
how physical activity and sport promote
physical health and well-being—emphasizing
that a range of physical activity is
best and that more activity leads to more
benefits. The guidelines also note that
little progress has been made in increasing
levels of physical activity for too many
children. Inactivity remains high among
American children, adolescents, and
adults.
Part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s
“Let’s Move” initiative, the White House
Task Force on Childhood Obesity notes
that combined with healthy eating, physical
activity is an essential component of
a healthy lifestyle and can help prevent
many chronic diseases, including heart
disease, cancer, and stroke. Although risk
factors for these diseases can begin early
in life, adopting regular habits of physical
activity can reduce them. According to the
task force, “Physical activity helps control
weight, builds lean muscle, reduces fat,
and contributes to a healthy functioning
cardiovascular system, hormonal regulatory
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