UK physical activity guidelines review

The current UK physical activity guidelines were published by the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) in 2011 and offer evidence-based recommendations for physical activity related health outcomes for women during pregnancy, under 5s, children and young people aged 6 to 18, adults aged 19 to 64, and older adults aged 65 plus. This review will provide updated practical public health guidelines and the development of potential implementation pathways for all groups, from healthcare to communication professionals.

In 2018, six Expert Working Groups (EWGs) worked with key national stakeholders to review the current guidelines and present new recommendations to the four UK CMOs based upon the latest scientific evidence. The EWGs comprised of UK and international experts in the field, and reflected on the four age ranges of UK physical activity guidelines (under 5s, children and young people aged 6 to 18, adults aged 19 to 64, and older adults aged 65 plus), plus a new CMO EWG for sedentary behavior across the life course, and a CMO Expert Guidelines Implementation and Surveillance Working Group.

Each EWG produced a technical report with recommendations to the UK CMOs for physical activity guidelines for their age ranges. If the recommendations are accepted by the CMOs, the CMO Guidelines Writing Group will then produce the final report with recommendations for updated evidence-informed guidelines.

Next step in 2019 will be establish national committees for Communication and Surveillance to implement and disseminate the Guidelines.