Developed by the American Cancer Society 2006 Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee and approved by the American Cancer Society National Board of Directors on May 19, 2006.

Recommendations for Individual Choices

Maintain a healthy weight throughout life.

• Balance calorie intake with physical activity.

• Avoid excessive weight gain throughout life.

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight if currently overweight or obese.
  

Adopt a physically active lifestyle.

• Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, above usual activities, on 5 or more days of the week; 45 to 60 minutes of intentional physical activity are preferable.

• Children and adolescents: Engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 5 days per week.

Eat a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant sources.

• Choose foods and drinks in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

• Eat 5 or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits every day.

• Choose whole grains over processed (refined) grains.

• Limit intake of processed and red meats.

If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit your intake.

• Drink no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 per day for men.

ACS Recommendation for Community Action

Public, private, and community organizations should work to create social and physical environments that help people adopt and maintain healthful nutrition and physical activity behaviors.

• Increase access to healthful foods in schools, worksites, and communities.

• Provide safe, enjoyable spaces for physical activity in schools.

• Provide for safe, physically active transportation (such as biking and walking) and recreation in communities.

Resources

Living Smart: The American Cancer Society's Guide to Eating Healthy and Being Active

Choices for Good Health: Guidelines for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention

Revised: 03/19/08