Creating a Physically Active Society: The Next Great Challenge

Abstract

The U.S. National Physical Activity Plan was launched in May 2010 with the goal of weaving physical activity into our culture.Physical inactivity has been shown to be a better predictor of death than traditional medical risk factors, costs employers morein lost productivity than tobacco use, causes more deaths than obesity, and affects more people than high cholesterol, acondition that produces more drug sales than any other condition. Despite its impact on society, it is largely neglected in policyarenas. The authors describe strategies to create a national culture of physical activity.