WHEREAS,

Daily physical acti​vity such as walking provides many health benefits, including helping people maintain a healthy weight, and people who are physically active live longer and have a lower risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depressi​on, and some cancers; and

WHEREAS,

National goals for physical activity, including the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, recommend that adults engage in 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity and children and adolescents engage in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day; and

WHEREAS,

According to the 2019 Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, only 52 percent of Marylanders engage in 150 minutes of physical activity weekly; and

WHEREAS,

According to the 2021 Maryland Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, only 31.3 percent of Maryland adults were at a healthy weight with 68.7 percent being either overweight or obese; physical activity, as part of a healthy lifestyle, is recommended to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight; walking is an accessible way to stay active, and Maryland citizens are encouraged to walk to achieve daily physical activity; and

WHEREAS,

Enhanced access to places for physical activity combined with informational outreach activities is an evidence-based strategy to increase physical activity; and

WHEREAS,

Walking is designated as Maryland's official state exercise.