Advocacy Project:Healthy People/Thomas

Goal: Improve health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity.

According to the Progress Quotient Chart, 7 out of 10 objectives have moved towards the target, with 3 out of the 10 objectives moved away from

 the target. The objective with the highest progress percentage of 28 was objective 28-11 (Increase the proportion of adolescents who view television 2 or fewer hours on a school day).  The objective with the least amount of progress was objective 22-6(Increase the proportion of adolescents who engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day 5 or more days per week).

Objective 28-11: Increase the proportion of adolescents who view television 2 or fewer hours on a a school day.

Target:75%

Baseline: 57% of students in grades 9 through 12 viewed television 2 or few hours per school day in 1999.

Target Setting Method: Better than the best.

Data Source: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System(YRBSS), CDC, NCCDPHP

Progress, Disparities, Opportunities and Challenges, and emerging issues:

Gains were made among students ages 9-12 for objectives addressing physical activity during physical education class. The proportion of adolescents who limited television viewing 2 or fewer hours on a school day increased from 57% in 1999 to 62% in 2003, achieving 28% of the targeted change and moving towards its target of 75 percent. The suggestion that was made physical activity is socially unacceptable for kids ages 9 through 12. This evidence explains the decrease in vigorous physical activity among this population group. The progress toward eliminating health disparities shows that the more education and knowledge there is on this topic, the more the increase in percentages of phys

ical activity there will be.   After the emergence of the automobile in the 20th century, physical activity has decreased rapidly in numbers.  Physical activity and fitness were a essential part to daily life and cultures in the areas of transportation, occupation, and even maintaining a home and family life. Gender, education, Location and Disability play a major role in physical activity. The group with the best rate for physical activity is male, and white(non-hispanic) population. 

There are a couple emerging issues for this topic.  First, technology has been explored to promote action on this topic including: pedometers, heart rate monitors, and motion detectors. Motion detectors have been used for population assessment. These provide the opportunity to 

to track population progress. Also, public health practictioners are working towards providing more access to suitable locations for physical activity such as walking/biking/hiking trails. By doing so, physical activity will be more reasonable to access.

Politcal Representative: Amy Klobachar