Physical activity among adults with a disability--United States, 2005

The health benefits of physical activity have been well documented and are supported by recommendations from Healthy People 2010 (focus area 22); however, fewer than half of U.S. adults follow these recommendations. Physical inactivity is particularly prevalent among adults with a disability, who are at increased risk for functional limitations and secondary health conditions (e.g., obesity, depression, or social isolation) that can result from their disabilities, behavior, lifestyle, or environment. To estimate the state-specific prevalence of physical activity and physical inactivity among adults with and without a disability, CDC analyzed data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which determined that, compared with adults without a disability, a smaller proportion of adults with a disability met national recommendations for physical activity (37.7% versus 49.4%), and a greater proportion were physically inactive (25.6% versus 12.8%). Public health measures to promote and increase physical activity should include consideration for the needs of adults with disabilities.