The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior for the first time since 2010. These guidelines, developed by an expert Group, aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for various population groups, including children, adolescents, adults, older adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities. Key recommendations include: - **Children and Adolescents (5-17 years)**: Engage in an average of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. - **Adults (18-64 years)**: Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity weekly. - **Older Adults (65 years and above)**: Participate in varied, multicomponent physical activity to enhance functional capacity and prevent falls. - **Pregnant and Postpartum Women**: Physical activity is beneficial for reducing gestational weight gain and risk of gestational diabetes. - **Individuals with Chronic Conditions**: Regular physical activity is generally safe and beneficial, with specific benefits for conditions like cancer, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and HIV. - **Individuals with Disabilities**: Physical activity is safe and beneficial, with adaptations needed for those with limited mobility. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of reducing sedentary behaviors across all age groups and abilities, although specific thresholds were not established due to insufficient evidence. The guidelines are intended to inform national health policies and surveillance systems, and they highlight the need for further research in certain areas, such as dose-response relationships and the impact of physical activity on specific health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior for the first time since 2010. These guidelines, developed by an expert Group, aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for various population groups, including children, adolescents, adults, older adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities. Key recommendations include: - **Children and Adolescents (5-17 years)**: Engage in an average of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. - **Adults (18-64 years)**: Aim for 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity weekly. - **Older Adults (65 years and above)**: Participate in varied, multicomponent physical activity to enhance functional capacity and prevent falls. - **Pregnant and Postpartum Women**: Physical activity is beneficial for reducing gestational weight gain and risk of gestational diabetes. - **Individuals with Chronic Conditions**: Regular physical activity is generally safe and beneficial, with specific benefits for conditions like cancer, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and HIV. - **Individuals with Disabilities**: Physical activity is safe and beneficial, with adaptations needed for those with limited mobility. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of reducing sedentary behaviors across all age groups and abilities, although specific thresholds were not established due to insufficient evidence. The guidelines are intended to inform national health policies and surveillance systems, and they highlight the need for further research in certain areas, such as dose-response relationships and the impact of physical activity on specific health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.