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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released its State Indicator Report on Physical Activity for 2014. The report ranked states based on their levels of physical activity and provides advice on how individual states can encourage their residents to start moving.

"People who are physically active generally live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, and some cancers. Physical activity can also help control weight. However, only about half of adults and less than a third of youth meet aerobic physical activity guidelines," the authors wrote in the report. "To improve physical activity behaviors among residents, state health departments, other state and local government agencies, and their partners can work together to implement the Community Preventive Services Task Force's recommended environmental and policy strategies for increasing physical activity."

In the report, the CDC officials factored in several adult behavior health indicators, which included no leisure time physical activity, 150 minutes of aerobic activity, 300 minutes of aerobic activity, and muscle strengthening exercises over the course of one week.

For states or cities that fell behind, the CDC recommended three major methods. First, residents should get easier access to safe places where they can exercise. Second, programs should be focused on improving physical education and physical activity in schools and childcare. Third, states should support new policies aimed to revamp the streets and communities with designs that encourage physical activity.

The federal agency stressed the importance of getting people to stay active. Frequent exercise combined with healthy eating can lead to better life quality. For more details, the report can be accessed here.