Staying physically active throughout a lifetime is a well-known key component to living a healthy lifestyle. 
The health benefits of consistent physical activity are endless. People who are physically active tend to live longer and have lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers. Physical activity can also help with weight control, help older adults to continue doing simple daily activities and prevent falls, and is believed by some to improve academic achievement in students.
It is recommended for adults to get at least 2.5 hours or more of physical activity each week and for children ages 6-17 to get at least one hour or more daily. And yet, today it is estimated that 2/3 of our nation’s kids and 95% of U.S adults are not getting the recommended level of physical activity. Fewer than half (48%) of all adults meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines and fewer than 3 in 10 high school students get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.