[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 237 (Monday, December 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63537-63538]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-30006]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Consensus Development Conference on Physical Activity and 
Cardiovascular Health

    Notice is hereby given of the NIH Consensus Development Conference 
on ``Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health,'' which will be held 
December 18-20, 1995, in the Natcher Conference Center of the National 
Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. 
The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. on December 18, at 8 a.m. on 
December 19, and at 9 a.m. on December 20.
    Over the past 25 years, the United States has experienced steady 
declines in the death toll from cardiovascular disease (CVD), primarily 
in coronary heart disease and stroke. Despite these declines, heart 
disease remains the number one and stroke the third leading cause of 
death. Lifestyle improvements by the American public and better control 
of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke have been a major 
factor in this decline.
    Cardiovascular disease is of multifactorial etiology. Modifiable 
risk factors include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, 
obesity, smoking, diabetes, and physical inactivity. In contrast to the 
positive trends observed with the reduction of high blood pressure and 
high blood cholesterol, overweight and physical inactivity have been on 
the increase. In light of this, the accumulating evidence of the risk 
of cardiovascular disease associated with a sedentary lifestyle and the 
role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of CVD and 
other CVD risk factors needs to be examined.
    In 1991, 58 percent of adults reported that they exercised 
sporadically or not at all. Data from the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior 
Survey suggests that adolescents are less active than they were a 
decade ago. Only 37 percent of teenagers in grades 9 through 12 
reported performing at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise at least 
three or more times per week. About 50 percent of students reported 
they did not participate in physical education (PE) classes. Of those 
who reported participating in PE classes, 25 percent said they do not 
do any physical activity.
    Physical activity not only independently protects against the 
development of cardiovascular disease but also has effects through the 
CVD risk factors of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, 
diabetes mellitus/insulin resistance, and overweight. The type, 
frequency, and intensity of the physical activity, however, remains 
controversial. Some experts suggest that moderate forms of physical 
activity can help prevent cardiovascular disease, while others suggest 
it must be vigorous and sustained.
    Physical activity is also important in the treatment and management 
of patients with CVD or its risk factors, including patients who have 
stable angina, have suffered a myocardial infarction, or have heart 
failure. Physical activity is an important component of cardiac 
rehabilitation but questions remain regarding the type, frequency, and 
intensity needed for patients.
    In addition, to potential benefits, questions remain regarding 
risks 

[[Page 63538]]
associated with becoming physically active and whether environmental 
factors affect possible benefits.
    Becoming physically active is a lifestyle behavior that is 
influenced by many variables such as socioeconomic status, cultural 
influences, age, and health status. There is a need to understand how 
such variables influence the adoption of this behavior by various 
population groups including children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, 
and minority populations. Various intervention strategies might be more 
or less useful for encouraging individuals to adopt and comply with a 
physically active lifestyle. Different environments such as schools, 
work sites, health care settings, and family structures need to be 
examined for their role in promoting physical activity. In addition, 
costs and availability of adequate resources can influence the adoption 
of a physically active lifestyle.
    The conference will bring together specialists in cardiology, 
exercise physiology, cardiovascular and behavioral medicine, 
epidemiology, nutrition, family practice, physical therapy, and nursing 
as well as representatives from the public on Physical Fitness and 
Sports.
    Advance information on the conference program and conference 
registration materials may be obtained from: Debra DeBose, Technical 
Resources International, Inc., 3202 Tower Oaks Blvd., Suite 200, 
Rockville, Maryland 20852, (301) 770-3153, [email protected].
    The consensus statement will be submitted for publication in 
professional journals and other publications. In addition, the 
statement will be available beginning December 20, 1995 from the NIH 
Consensus Program Information Service, P.O. Box 2577, Kensington, 
Maryland 20891, phone 1-800-NIH-OMAR (1-800-644-6627).

    Dated: November 29, 1995.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 95-30006 Filed 12-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M