Physical activity is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Combined with nutritious eating, it helps prevent a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer, which are the two leading causes of death in the U.S. Physical activity does the following:

  • Helps control weight
  • Builds lean muscle
  • Reduces fat
  • Promotes strong bone, muscle and joint development
  • Decreases the risk of obesity
Active women

Physical Activity at Home

Are you currently wanting to stay physically active while at home? See below for some helpful links and sample videos. If you’re just starting to exercise, ask your doctor what is best for you.

Home Workouts from the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability

Exercise and Physical Activity resources from the National Institute on Aging

Staying Active in Cold Weather: A Safety Guide for Older Adults from the National Council on Aging

What about kids?

Boy and dad playing football

Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day to grow and maintain an appropriate weight for their height. If this sounds like a lot, consider that eight to 18 year old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media including TV, computers, video games, cell phones, and movies in a typical day, and only one-third of high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity.

To increase physical activity, today’s children need safe routes to walk and bike ride to school, parks, playgrounds, and community centers where they can play after school, and activities like sports, dance, or fitness programs that are exciting and challenging enough to keep them engaged.

Learn what we’re doing in schools to keep kids healthy and active:

Regie’s Rainbow Adventure® | Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities™ | PE-Nut™ | Go NAPSACC: Child Care Assessment | Safe Routes to School

NKFM Physical Activity Programs

A Matter of Balance

A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have concerns about falls.

Enhance®Fitness

Enhance Fitness is a physical activity program for adults that is designed to improve functional fitness and well being.

Cooking Matters at the Store

Cooking Matters at the Store is a free program of the No Kid Hungry campaign that empowers families to stretch their food budgets so their children get healthy meals at home.