U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and
Services Administration
This tool helps providers make physical activity and healthy eating recommendations based on patients answers to the "Getting Started" questions in the Guide, "My Bright Future: Physical Activity and Healthy Eating for Adult Women". The questions below provide an assessment of current behaviors based on a typical day and lend themselves to general recommendations. Providers are encouraged to use their professional judgment and patient history when making specific recommendations. Questions #3, 4, 10 and 11 have been omitted because they assess preferences, barriers, and perceptions – not behaviors – and are therefore more helpful with goal-setting activities.
| Questions and Answers Highlighted answers do not meet guidelines, therefore change is recommended. |
Relevant Guidelines Based on Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. |
General Recommendations Recommendations for answers that require behavior change to be recorded on page 10 of Guide.) |
Tip Sheets Recommended tip sheets. |
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| Physical Activity - For more information, refer patient to pages 13-15 of Guide. | |||||||
1. How many days a week do you do physical activity?
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Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily. | Be physically active more days of the week. | Daily Physical Activity, Getting Started, Physical Disabilities. | ||||
2. How much time do you spend being physically active on a typical day?
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Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week to lower the risk of chronic disease. Aim for 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to prevent gradual weight gain. Aim for 60-90 minutes of daily physical activity to maintain weight loss. | Physical activity may be done all at once, or can be broken up into shorter bouts throughout the day. | Daily Physical Activity, Getting Started, Physical Disabilities, Walking. | ||||
| Healthy Eating1 - For more information refer patient to pages 16-20 of the Guide. | |||||||
5. How often do you have foods from the milk group?
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Have 3 cups from the milk group each day. | Choose low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese. If lactose-intolerant, try low-fat, lactose-free milk. | Calcium, Healthy Weight, Grocery Shopping, Food Label. | ||||
6. How often do you have foods from the meat group?
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Eat 5-6 ½ ounces from the meat and beans group each day. | Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry. Eat more fish, beans, nuts, and seeds. | Iron, Grocery Shopping, Food Label. | ||||
7. How often do you eat foods from the bread/grains group?
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Eat 5-8 ounces from the grains group each day. | At least half of all grains should be whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and brown rice. | Iron, Grocery Shopping, Food Label. | ||||
8. How often do you eat fruit or drink 100% fruit juice?
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Eat at least 1½ - 2 cups of fruits each day. | Eat a variety of fruits. Go easy on fruit juices. | Eating Out, Healthy Weight, Grocery Shopping, Food Label. | ||||
9. How often do you eat vegetables or drink 100% vegetable juice?
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Eat 2-3 cups of vegetables each day. | Eat a variety of vegetables. Eat more dark green and orange vegetables. | Calcium, Eating Out, Healthy Weight, Grocery Shopping, Food Label. | ||||
1Since people generally find it easier to think about how often they eat a type of food, questions in this section ask about food frequency (how many times a day a woman eats something) rather than the amount of food she eats each day. Therefore, when you review the questions with your patients, ask them about the amount of food they typically choose each day to help assess whether or not they are meeting the guidelines.
Physical Activity:
Healthy Eating: