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Physical activity trends among 26 states, 1986-1990
1Cardiovascular Health Studies Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|May 1, 1995
Summary
Most adults remain inactive or irregularly active, despite some improvements in intensive physical activity. Targeted interventions are needed to increase overall physical activity levels across diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Monitoring physical activity in large populations is challenging due to limited data.
- Representative data on leisure-time physical activity patterns are scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in leisure-time physical activity patterns.
- To identify demographic variations in physical activity changes over time.
Main Methods:
- Standardized telephone surveys conducted from 1986-1990.
- Inclusion of over 34,800 adults across 26 states.
- Classification of physical activity into four patterns: inactive, irregularly active, regularly active (not intensive), and regularly active (intensive).
Main Results:
- Approximately 60% of adults were physically inactive or irregularly active.
- A decrease of 2.3% in physically inactive individuals and an increase of 2.1% in regularly active, intensive individuals were observed.
- Improvements in physical activity varied by demographics, with women and older adults showing beneficial changes, while other racial groups and less educated individuals showed unfavorable trends.
Conclusions:
- While some positive shifts in physical activity were noted, the majority of adults remain insufficiently active.
- Significant demographic disparities exist in physical activity trends.
- Enhanced public health interventions are crucial to promote physical activity across all segments of the population.