The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only 20.6% of Americans are meeting the national guidelines for both aerobics and strength training. The current exercise guidelines recommend a minimum per week of 2.5 hours of moderate intensity aerobics in addition to a minimum of two days of muscle-strenghtening activities on all major muscle groups. The study showed that 51.6% of Americans are meeting only the aerobic guidelines while 29.3% of Americans are meeting only the strength training recommendations. Additionally, women, Hispanics, the elderly, and obese adults were less likely to follow the exercise recommendations. There were also variations based on state.
Regular activity has been shown to lower health risks, including controlling weight and decreasing depression and the onset of diabetes and heart disease. The results were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.