News and information from the National Physical Activity Plan 05/2015

Call To Action from American Heart Association in Support of the NPAP

Last month’s Circulation issue featured an article from the American Heart Association (AHA) highlighting the high levels of physical inactivity among Americans and the negative health consequences associated with an inactive lifestyle.

In this article, AHA released a call to action to all its volunteers and members asking them to act locally, regionally, and nationally to promote increased physical activity and structured exercise in the daily lives of all Americans.

Specifically, AHA encouraged the use of the National Physical Activity Plan as a guide to change policy and environmental level factors influencing physical activity among all segments of the population. Read the full article here.

National Physical Activity Plan Alliance Sign Ons

In the last month, the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance has officially signed on to support several federal initiatives that aim to promote physical activity. Each of these initiatives has the potential to significantly impact the health of Americans by facilitating regular physical activity in the environments where we live, work, and play.

We encourage you and your organizations to write your representatives and urge them to support these initiatives.

• Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act

• Every Child Achieves Act / PEP

• Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kits (FIT Kids) Act

• NIH Common Fund

Celebrating Physical Activity in May

The month of May offers several physical activity related events that are sure to get you moving. Check them out below.

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National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day – May 6, 2015

Description: This inaugural event is hosted by the American Diabetes Association and encourages companies across the US to urge their employees to limit the amount of time they spend sitting at their desks. Download the e-Toolkit today and remember to get moving at least every 90 minutes during the day! For more ideas on how to make your workplace more active, review the strategies and tactics outlined in the Business & Industry sector of the NPAP.

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National Bike Month

National Bike to School Day – May 6, 2015

Description: In coordination with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month, this event provides opportunities for students and schools across the country to join together to celebrate biking to school. See these exceptional resources and start planning your school’s bike to school event.

National Bike to Work Day/Week – May 11-15, 2015

Description: With more than half of the US population living within 5 miles of their workplace, bicycling to work is a feasible, active, and fun way to get to work! This event is the biggest bicycling event during National Bike Month. Plan your event today! For more ideas on how to make your workplace and community more bike-friendly, we recommend checking out the strategies and tactics in the NPAP’s Business & Industry and Transportation, Land Use, and Community Design sectors.

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National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

National Physical Education and Sport Week – May 1-7, 2015

Description: SHAPE America’s National Physical Education & Sport Week calls attention to the value of physical education and physical activity in the lives of children and adults. It also serves as the kickoff to National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, sponsored by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. The NPAP Education sector is another excellent resource which offers several innovative strategies to increase student activity throughout the school day!

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Exercise is Medicine (EIM) Month

Description: This month, communities across the nation will hold activities that recognize physical activity and exercise should be part of everyone’s health care plan! All individuals and organizations are encouraged to hold events aimed at keeping people active and healthy. Check out the EIM Month Toolkit for some great ideas on how to plan your event! The EIM initiative aligns well with the NPAP’s Healthcare sector, which offers several strategies to promote physical activity in the health care setting.

Physical Activity: Moving Toward Obesity Solutions Workshop Recap

Last month the ‘ public workshop hosted by the IOM’s Roundtable on Obesity Solutions took place in Washington, D.C. This innovative 2-day workshop provided an expert summary of the state of the science regarding the impact of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity.

The first day of the workshop focused on the state of the science and presented the latest evidence on how physical activity influences body weight among different demographic groups. The second day highlighted innovative strategies for promoting physical activity.

If you were unable to attend, we encourage you to read this excellent recap of the event. Speaker presentations and video recordings from the workshop are also available on the IOM website.

New Report from NWLC:

Girls of Color and Sport Opportunities 

The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and the Poverty & Research Action Council  (PRAC) released a new report examining school sport opportunities among girls. The report, entitled Finishing Last: Girls of Color and School Sport Opportunities, presents new data which shows that girls of color do not receive equal chances to play school sports at the national and state levels. Consequences for this inequality as well as recommendations for addressing the problem are addressed in the report.

Every Body Walk! Video Competition

The Every Body Walk! Collaborative wants to know:  What does walking mean to you?

Create your own short video (less than 1 minute) and tell the Every Body Walk! Collaborative what walking means to you. Videos on a variety of topics will be accepted through October 1, 2015. The winner will be highlighted at the 2nd National Walking Summit and will be featured on the Every Body Walk! website.