CDC: Move It To Lose It

Nearly 54 percent of American adults are overweight and half of them are trying to shed unwanted pounds, most of them by walking. The government says it's not enough.

A national survey released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found most of those trying to slim down were exercising, but only 28 percent said they worked out 30 minutes a day at least five days a week, the minimum government recommendation.

"The good news is that many people are using physical activity and we want to encourage that, but promote doing it more frequently," said CDC spokeswoman Mary Ellen Simpson.

Among the people participating in the survey nearly three-quarters of those with a college education said they exercised regularly compared to less than half of those who had not obtained a high school diploma.

The survey also found regional differences. Overweight adults in Midwest are the most active while those Southern states are less likely to exercise. In addition the elderly and those who are seriously obese were found to be the least active.

Simpson speculated that highly educated people are more likely to belong to health clubs or participate in social sports such as golf, and cited a need for public health agencies to educate the remaining groups.

The CDC considers anyone up to 30 pounds over the target weight for their body size to be overweight. People 30 pounds or more over their ideal weight is considered obese.