The prevalence of physical activity or inactivity in a rural African American community

A modified version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to survey the adult residents of a rural African American community in North Carolina regarding the frequency, duration, and intensity of a variety of typical physical activities throughout the year. Variation in activity levels was analyzed with respect to age, gender, marital status, income, educational level, and smoking. Some seasonal differences in activity levels between men and women and between married and unmarried individuals were detected. One finding of significance was the total median amount of physical activity among this rural sample of 1500 minutes per week, 12 times the minimal recommendation. Advantages and disadvantages of this type of instrument and the importance of cultural aspects of physical activity are presented.