Prevalence of Physical Activity in the United States: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2001

INTRODUCTION: The health benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise are well-known. Such exercise, however, has traditionally been defined as vigorous physical activity, such as jogging, swimming, or aerobic dance. Exercise of moderate intensity also promotes health, and many U.S. adults may be experiencing the health benefits of exercise through lifestyle activities of moderate intensity, such as yard work, housework, or walking for transportation. Until recently, public health surveillance systems have not included assessments of this type of physical activity, focusing on exercise of vigorous intensity. We used an enhanced surveillance tool to describe the prevalence and amount of both moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity among U.S. adults. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based, random-digit–dialed telephone survey administered to U.S. adults aged 18 years and older (n = 82,834 men and 120,286 women). Physical activity behavior was assessed using questions designed to quantify the frequency of participation in moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activities performed during leisure time or for household chores and transportation. RESULTS: Overall, 45% of adults (48% of men and 43% of women) were active at recommended levels during nonworking hours (at least 30 minutes five or more days per week in moderate-intensity activities, equivalent to brisk walking, or at least 20 minutes three or more days per week in vigorous activities, equivalent to running, heavy yard work, or aerobic dance). Less than 16% of adults (15% of men and 17% of women) reported no moderate or vigorous activity in a usual week. CONCLUSION: Integrating surveillance of lifestyle activities into national systems is possible, and doing so may provide a more accurate representation of the prevalence of recommended levels of physical activity. These results, however, suggest that the majority of U.S. adults are not active at levels associated with the promotion and maintenance of health

Associations of Perceived Social and Physical Environmental Supports With Physical Activity and Walking Behavior

We evaluated perceived social and environmental supports for physical activity and walking using multivariable modeling. Perceptions were obtained on a sample of households in a southeastern county. Respondents were classified according to physical activity levels and walking behaviors. Respondents who had good street lighting; trusted their neighbors; and used private recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, and sports fields were more likely to be regularly active. Perceiving neighbors as being active, having access to sidewalks, and using malls were associated with regular walking

Descriptive Epidemiology of Pedometer-Determined Physical Activity

Purpose: The dual purposes of this study were: 1) to provide preliminary descriptive epidemiology data representing pedometer-determined physical activity (PA) and 2) to explore sources of intra-individual variability in steps per day. Methods: All participants (76 males, age = 48.4 +/- 16.3 yr, body mass index (BMI) = 27.1 +/- 5.1 kg[middle dot]m-2; 133 females, age = 47.4 +/- 17.5 yr, BMI = 26.9 +/- 5.7 kg[middle dot]m-2) resided in Sumter County, SC, and were recruited by telephone to receive a mailed kit to self-monitor PA for 1 wk. Statistical analyses compared mean steps per day between sexes, races, age groups, education and income levels, and BMI categories. Mean steps per day were also compared between: 1) weekdays versus weekend days, 2) workdays versus nonworkdays, and 3) days of sport/exercise versus no participation. Results: The entire sample took 5931 +/- 3664 steps[middle dot]d-1 (males = 7192 +/- 3596 vs females = 5210 +/- 3518 steps[middle dot]d-1, t = 7.88, P < 0.0001). Significant differences were also indicated by race, age, education, income, and BMI. In addition, weekdays were significantly higher than weekend days, workdays were higher than nonworkdays, and sport/exercise days were higher than nonsport/exercise days. Conclusions: The large standard deviations reflect a wide distribution of ambulatory behavior. Regardless, important differences are still evident by demographic characteristics, BMI categories, day of the week, and reported engagement in work or sport/exercise

Prevalence of Physical Activity in the United States: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2001

Introduction The health benefits of regular cardiovascular exercise are well-known. Such exercise, however, has traditionally been defined as vigorous physical activity, such as jogging, swimming, or aerobic dance. Exercise of moderate intensity also promotes health, and many U.S. adults may be experiencing the health benefits of exercise through lifestyle activities of moderate intensity, such as yard work, housework, or walking for transportation. Until recently, public health surveillance systems have not included assessments of this type of physical activity, focusing on exercise of vigorous intensity. We used an enhanced surveillance tool to describe the prevalence and amount of both moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity among U.S. adults. Methods We analyzed data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based, random-digit–dialed telephone survey administered to U.S. adults aged 18 years and older (n = 82,834 men and 120,286 women). Physical activity behavior was assessed using questions designed to quantify the frequency of participation in moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activities performed during leisure time or for household chores and transportation. Results Overall, 45% of adults (48% of men and 43% of women) were active at recommended levels during nonworking hours (at least 30 minutes five or more days per week in moderate-intensity activities, equivalent to brisk walking, or at least 20 minutes three or more days per week in vigorous activities, equivalent to running, heavy yard work, or aerobic dance). Less than 16% of adults (15% of men and 17% of women) reported no moderate or vigorous activity in a usual week. Conclusion Integrating surveillance of lifestyle activities into national systems is possible, and doing so may provide a more accurate representation of the prevalence of recommended levels of physical activity. These results, however, suggest that the majority of U.S. adults are not active at levels associated with the promotion and maintenance of health