More Americans Walking, Survey Finds

Nearly 2 out of 3 U.S. adults now say that they walk at least 10 minutes per week, officials reported this week. But too few are getting enough exercise to make a difference in their health, officials said. The latest numbers come from a 2010 national survey. Almost 62% of adults surveyed said they walked for 10 minutes or more at least once in the last week. That’s up from 56% in 2005. People in the West walk the most. Those in the South walk least. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the new numbers. Officials said the improvement is a first step toward getting more Americans active. The government recommends at least 150 minutes per week of walking or other moderate exercise. Research has shown that this amount of activity can improve health. Only about 48% of U.S. adults are getting this much exercise, the 2010 survey showed.