A comprehensive new public health initiative designed to encourage more people across the US to become physically active has been backed by the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Initially proposed in 2006, the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) aims to help remove barriers that prevent people taking part in exercise, as well as also tackling obesity levels among adults and children.

ACE - one of the world's largest fitness training organisations - has joined a coalition of industry experts to implement the plan, which covers a range of areas such as school policies and workplace programmes.

Scott Goudeseune, president and chief executive officer of ACE, said: "We believe in the need for a united front to inspire and empower Americans to lead more physically active lifestyles.

"We agree that the National Physical Activity Plan is an initiative that will help us educate and support our communities, and that this is moving us one substantial step forward toward our ultimate goal."

NPAP chair Russell Pate added: "We are encouraging a new way of thinking about lifestyle, activity, mobility and general physical fitness. It's well established that physical activity brings manifold health benefits, but we need to change people's behaviour."