Recent Data Reveals Adults and Children Lack Sufficient Exercise for Heart Health
Less than half of adults and fewer than one in five children in the U.S. get the recommended amount of physical activity needed for heart health, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart & Stroke Statistical Update. That’s why the Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, invites communities nationwide are invited to gather on Wednesday, April 2 for National Walking Day – to raise awareness of the powerful benefits of regular movement.
“The American Heart Association is committed to building a healthier future for everyone, one step at a time,” said Chrissy Meyer, region senior marketing communications director for the American Heart Association in South Dakota. “National Walking Day is a celebration of how small steps can lead to big changes in the health and happiness of our communities.”
National recommendations, supported by the American Heart Association, call for children to get at least an hour of physical activity each day—the latest statistics show that less than 19 percent of children in the U.S. achieve that. And less than half of adults get the recommended 150 minutes or more of weekly physical activity recommended.
Walking is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to stay active. Research shows it not only lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease but also supports mental well-being:
A study recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found engaging in at least 75 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, including brisk walking, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by 17%.
Research recently published in the journal JAMA Open Network found adults who walked at least 5,000 steps a day had fewer symptoms of depression than those who did not.
“Walking is a great way to live longer and live healthier. It improves your mood, reduces stress and lowers the risk of diseases while enhancing your overall well-being,” Meyer said. “Best of all, it’s inexpensive and easy to do wherever you are and at any time of day.”
To participate in National Walking Day, consider these tips:
Invite friends, family or colleagues to join you for a walk.
Take a conference call on the move if you work remotely.
April showers? No problem, take a walk at the local mall.
Bring your pet along—it’s great for both of you!
In Sioux Falls, several companies and worksites will be hosting National Walking Day activities, including:
Aerostar
Avera Heart Hospital: 3:00 p.m. group walk event
Chase Bank (Downtown Branch)
Experience Sioux Falls: 1:00 p.m. group walk event
Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce
Mills Property Management
PREMIER Bankcard
Startup Sioux Falls: 1:00 p.m. group walk event
For information about getting active and staying healthy, visit the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good™ initiative at heart.org/movemore.
Additional Resources: