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. 2021 Aug 1;18(S1):S25-S36.
doi: 10.1123/jpah.2021-0014.

Participation in Leisure-Time Aerobic Physical Activity Among Adults, National Health Interview Survey, 1998-2018

Geoffrey P Whitfield, Eric T Hyde, Susan A Carlson

Participation in Leisure-Time Aerobic Physical Activity Among Adults, National Health Interview Survey, 1998-2018

Geoffrey P Whitfield et al. J Phys Act Health. .

Abstract

Background: Adults should perform ≥150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity equivalent physical activity for substantial health benefits and >300 minutes per week for additional benefits. The authors analyzed 21 years of National Health Interview Survey data to better understand trends in aerobic physical activity participation among US adults.

Methods: The authors estimated the annual prevalence (1998-2018) of self-reported leisure-time physical inactivity, insufficient activity, meeting only the minimal aerobic guideline, and meeting the high aerobic guideline overall and by selected characteristics. Prevalence differences between 1998 and 2018 were compared across subgroups and periods of significant change were identified using JoinPoint regression.

Results: The prevalence of inactivity decreased from 40.5% (1998) to 25.6% (2018) while the prevalence of meeting the high aerobic guideline increased from 26.0% to 37.4%. Increases in meeting the high guideline were similar across age groups, racial/ethnic groups, levels of education, and Census regions. Increases in insufficient activity and meeting the minimal guideline were statistically significant but of relatively small magnitude.

Conclusions: The prevalence of inactivity decreased and meeting the high aerobic guideline increased overall and for all subgroups from 1998 to 2018. Physical activity promotion strategies may aim to continue these trends while also narrowing persistent disparities in participation across subgroups.

Keywords: NHIS; surveillance; trends.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Age-adjusted prevalence of four levels of aerobic leisure-time physical activity among adults, National Health Interview Survey 1998–2018
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Average annual percentage-point change in reported leisure-time physical inactivity by year, adults, National Health Interview Survey 1998–2018
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Average annual percentage-point change in meeting the high aerobic guideline in leisure time by year, adults, National Health Interview Survey 1998–2018
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References

    1. United States Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; 2018.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trends in meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines, 2008–2017. 2018; https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/downloads/trends-in-the-prevalence-.... Accessed 6 February 2019.
    1. Omura J, Ussery E, Watson K, et al. Placeholder for the summary paper. Journal of physical activity & health. 2021.
    1. National Center for Health Statistics. National Health Interview Survey. 2018; https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/index.htm. Accessed 2 January 2019.
    1. United States Department of Health and Human Services. 2020 Topics and Objectives, Physical Activity. 2020; https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/physical-acti.... Accessed 6 February 2020.

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