Americans should think twice before canceling their membership to the local gym this year.

The 2005 release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourages people to exercise 60 to 90 minutes per day.

That time is up from the last recommendation of 30 minutes per day five years ago. The change comes at a time when American obesity is at one of its highest rates. It is estimated that 65 percent of Americans are obese.

Kathie Beals, a registered dietician who teaches at Sacramento State, said a third of the recommendations focus on controlling body weight.

&At no other time have we had such an obesity problem,& she said. &So it makes sense they are addressing it now.&

Changes have also been made in the food categories, many leading back to the body weight control, Beals said.

The guidelines encourage people to eat fiber rich carbohydrates, which include fruits and vegetables and whole grains. It pushes people to choose foods with little added sugar. Sodium intake is reduced to less than 2,300 milligrams, which is equivalent to a teaspoon of salt per day.

Instead of five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, it is now recommended to consume at least nine. Studies have shown an association between high fruit and vegetable intake and low risk disease.

&They are trying to get Americans to consider Nutrient Density, which means getting the most nutrients out of the calories you consume,& Beals said. &You try to get as many nutrients for as few calories.&

Many recommendations have been listed for the first time, as well. The guidelines list an increase in potassium rich foods, which includes bananas and potatoes. People are encouraged to consume three cups of low fat or non fat dairy products per day.

Beals, who provided both written and verbal testimony to the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in Washington, D.C., said the most controversial change is in the exercise requirement.

&At this point, they are just trying to get people to get up and move,& she said. &They&re endorsing all kinds of activity. They&re also specifying that you don&t have to do 90 minutes all at once.&

Many students on campus understand the importance of exercising, but wonder how they will fit it into their schedules. Roxanne Edwards and Megan DeGuerre are both enrolled full time and work part time jobs.

&Between work and school, I can&t fit in an extra 90 minutes of exercise,& said Edwards, a sophomore.

DeGuerre, a freshmen, said she tries to work out on a regular basis, but even she wonders if she can fit in the extra time.

&It may not be realistic, but our society needs it,& DeGuerre said. &We are one of the most obese countries.&

Meanwhile, with food options on campus such as Taco Bell and Burger King, senior Claudia Marroquin wonders how students will be able to eat healthy on campus.

&With all the vending machines and everyone in a hurry, you don&t have time to eat healthy unless you bring your own food,& she said.

Beals said that with the introduction of the 2005 guidelines, a new pyramid should be released by the end of this year. The new design will reflect the changes made this year.

&The food pyramid is being redesigned,& she said. &We don&t know if it will still be in the shape of a pyramid.&