Presidential Active Lifestyle Award: Activity + Nutrition (PALA+)

PALA+ is the next phase of PALA (Presidential Active Lifestyle Award), a program of the President's Challenge

Physical Activity
A healthy life is an active life. The physical activity requirements for PALA+ remain the same: youth (6-17 years old) need to be active at least 60 minutes a day (or 11,000 steps for girls and 13,000 steps for boys) and adults (18 and older), 30 minutes (or 8500 steps) for five days a week for six out of eight weeks. So, take a walk with friends, bike ride after dinner, garden, or play a game of basketball at the park. Get your heart pumping and your muscles moving. When you've logged six weeks of physical activity, congratulations. You've started a regular routine for a more active lifestyle.

*A change in requirements for the number of steps required to earn PALA+ will go into effect August 1, 2012. This change will make the requirement 12,000 steps for boys and girls. The 12,000 steps recommendation is based on research equating step counts to minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in youth. Children and adolescents participating in the Canadian Health Measures Survey were asked to wear a device that recorded both physical activity intensity and steps. The data were used to predict the number of steps per day that equate to 60 minutes of MVPA daily (as recommended for U.S. and Canadian youths). Prediction equations were developed for the entire sample as well as separate groups defined by age and gender. The researchers concluded that a single minimal daily step target of 12,000 steps per day for both boys and girls was the most practical choice.
Good Nutrition
Start eating healthy. It's easier than you think! Take it one step at a time. The first week, you select and commit to one new healthy eating goal. The following week add a different goal – but make sure you continue to maintain your healthy eating goal(s) from the week(s) before. Focus on your healthy eating goals every week and remember, the more often you incorporate them into your lifestyle, the better you will feel. When you've achieved six different healthy eating goals, congratulations! You've started a routine for a healthier lifestyle.
Participation in PALA+ is one way to meet the recommendations of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The healthy eating goals are based on the consumer messages from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.
Sign-up today at www.presidentschallenge.org!

Once you achieve PALA+, you'll be eligible to receive a free certificate signed by Council co-chairs Drew Brees and Dominique Dawes!
Improving fitness and health takes teamwork. Get involved with the President's Challenge and a variety of other organizations to increase participation in PALA+ and encourage people to be active and healthy. Learn more

about getting involved today!