New exercise guidelines were released by the U.S. government on Tuesday. The exercise guidelines advice adults to take a break from their usual work for 2 ½ hours a week and do exercise. Also children are advised to run and play for about an hour a day. The guidelines were released after important studies on health benefits from regular and moderate exercise had been made. It appears that the guidelines were composed for being added to the “Food Pyramid” nutritional advice.

Michael Leavitt, Health and Human Services Secretary, stated that "More than 59 percent of adults don't get enough physical activity and a quarter of adults aren't active at all in their leisure time. I think these are the first comprehensive federal guidelines on physical activity."

Many of the studies made for these guidelines showed that the regular and moderate exercise decreases the risks for heart disease, many cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, depression and other diseases. Leavitt also added that "in children and adolescents, physical activity induces cardiovascular and respiratory fitness and also contributes to bone health."

Poor diet and the lack of exercise have led many Americans to obesity. A report released by the U.S.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in July showed that 25.6 of the American adults are obese. Also the U.S. Institute of Medicine said in 2002 that the Americans have to exercise for an hour a day as to keep fit.