[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, ddebose@tech-res.com.
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
