On April 29, 2011, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring May National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. In that proclamation he called on all Americans to make daily physical activity, sports participation and good nutrition a priority in their lives.

According to the CDC, more than one-third of Americans (78.6 million) are obese. The map below shows the obesity rates per state, with the south having the highest rates of obesity. It’s important to note that no state in the U.S. has a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.

Source: Behavorial Risk Factor Surveillance Systems, CDC

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month 2015 Initiatives

There are several ways you can get involved in National Physical Fitness and Sports Month 2015:

Individuals:

• Go to Fitness.gov, the official website for the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. The website contains useful resources for individuals of all ages to stay healthy and active.
• Join a gym, aerobics class or hire a personal trainer.
• Exercise with friends or join a local sports team.
• Try one or more of these 20 exercise tips by the Harvard School of Health.
• Follow our nutrition advice here.

Health Care Organizations:

1.) First, each member of your health care team should set a personal health goal. (See the section above for “Individuals”.) You can’t effectively motivate your patients to get fit if you, yourself, are not in good shape.

2.) Second, learn more about how to inspire healthy habits in your patients. Our corporate education courses can help:

A Clinician’s Guide to Improving Therapeutic Outcomes: Why is Nutrition Important?
Contact Hours: 3*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA 

Clinical Exercise Physiology
Contact Hours: 3*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA

Dance for Physical Therapy: Use of Ballet Barre and Dance Methods for Rehabilitation
Contact Hours: 3*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA

Introduction to Wellness: A Rehabilitation Perspective
Contact Hours: 3*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA

Movement Analysis: Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology for the Rehab Professional
Contact Hours: 3*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA, CSCS/NSCA-CPT

Nutritional Considerations for the Rehabilitation Professional
Contact Hours: 5*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA

Obesity in Rehabilitation
Contact Hours: 4*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA 

Warding Off Obesity as we Age: Update on the Role of Nutritional Exercise
Contact Hours: 3*
PT/PTA, ATC/LAT, OT/COTA

In addition, we offer our prestigious Andrews Research and Education Sports Medicine Series.

3.) Last, join health and fitness efforts in your community. Companies that encourage community involvement distinguish themselves from their competitors, and see many benefits, including loyal customers and happier employees. One or more of the following resources can help you get started:

• Action for Healthy Kids
• Partnering to Promote Healthy Aging
• Let’s Move!
• Establishing a Community-Based Walking Group Program to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth and Adults
• National Physical Fitness and Sports Month Toolkit

While May is Physical Fitness and Sports Month, you can follow this fitness advice all year long. Don’t let lack of motivation get the best of you. Get moving today, tomorrow, next month—and beyond!

References:

*Check state catalog for approval information.