Final answer:
Approximately 80% of Americans do not meet the recommended levels of exercise for heart health, according to a report from the American Heart Association, highlighting a gap between what is recommended and the actual physical activity levels of much of the U.S. population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the percentage of adults in the USA who engage in exercise at the level recommended for heart health.
According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), adults should engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 to 150 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity.
Unfortunately, a 2018 report from the American Heart Association estimates that approximately 80% of Americans do not meet these recommendations for physical activity, which indicates a significant disparity between the recommended levels of exercise and actual engagement among the U.S. population.
Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and contributes to other health benefits. Increased physical activity is associated with lowered risk of diseases like heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes, as well as improvements in cardiovascular and muscular fitness, bone density, cognitive function, and weight management.
However, with a high percentage of Americans being overweight or obese and many not meeting exercise guidelines, these vital health benefits remain unattained for a large part of the population.