New review boosts case for physical activity as public health priority

A new review in Mayo Clinic Proceedings says physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are more strongly tied to longevity than diet quality alone. The Physical Activity Alliance says the findings should push policymakers, employers, educators and health systems to give movement the same priority as nutrition.

Why it matters: - The review strengthens the case that physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are central to healthy aging, disease prevention and longer life. - The findings suggest public health efforts have underweighted movement compared with its impact on mortality and chronic disease risk. - The Physical Activity Alliance says the evidence supports making physical activity a national public health priority.

What happened: - The Physical Activity Alliance welcomed a new review by Glenn A. Gaesser and Robert E. Sallis on the comparative effects of diet quality, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on longevity. - Mayo Clinic Proceedings published the review, titled “Diet Quality versus Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness for Longevity: A Review of Comparative Evidence.” - The review concluded that physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness show stronger and more consistent associations with longevity than diet quality alone.

The details: - The review found physical activity and fitness were more strongly linked to longer life than diet quality alone. - Sedentary lifestyles were associated with a substantially greater risk of premature death. - Even small increases in daily physical activity were associated with meaningful reductions in mortality risk. - Higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels were consistently associated with lower risk of death. - Physically active and fit people often had lower mortality risk regardless of diet quality. - Physical activity helped offset many harmful effects of poor dietary habits. - Healthy eating alone did not fully counteract the effects of inactivity. - Mike Stack, president of the Physical Activity Alliance, said policymakers, healthcare systems, employers and educators should give physical activity and fitness the same level of attention and investment as nutrition. - Glenn A. Gaesser said the findings do not diminish the importance of healthy eating, but do show physical activity and fitness deserve greater recognition in public health strategies. - Robert E. Sallis said physical activity is one of the most effective and accessible forms of preventive medicine available. - Sallis said even modest increases in activity can have meaningful health benefits and improving fitness may be one of the most impactful steps to reduce premature death risk.

Between the lines: - The review does not argue against nutrition. It argues that movement has been undervalued in prevention policy. - The message aligns with a broader push in public health to treat exercise access as an environmental and systems issue, not just an individual choice. - The alliance is using the study to reinforce decades of evidence and to elevate physical activity in policy debates.

What's next: - The Physical Activity Alliance is urging partners, advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals and public health leaders to share the research with decision-makers. - The alliance wants policymakers, healthcare systems, employers, educators and community leaders to prioritize physical activity alongside nutrition. - The group is calling for policies, programs and environments that help people move more, sit less and live healthier lives. - The alliance says communities should translate the evidence into action to reduce chronic disease and improve health outcomes.

The bottom line: - The new review adds fresh support for a simple public health message: moving more may matter as much as, or more than, diet alone when it comes to living longer.**