Participation in Types of Physical Activities among US Adults—National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2006

Abstract

Background Information on specific types of physical activities in which US adults participate is important for community and program development to promote physical activity. Methods Prevalence of participation and average time spent for 33 leisure-time aerobic activities and 10 activity categories were calculated using self-reported data from 22,545 participants aged ≥ 18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2006. Results Overall, 38% of US adults reported no leisure-time physical activities, and 43% reported 1 or 2 activities in the past 30 days. Walking was the most frequently reported activity for both men (29%) and women (38%). Among walkers, the average time spent walking was 198 minutes/week for men and 152 minutes/week for women. The most reported activities for men after walking were bicycling and yard work, and for women were aerobics and dance. For most activity categories, participation was lower among adults aged ≥ 65 years than among younger adults, and among Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic blacks than among non-Hispanic whites. Participation in most categories increased with increasing educational attainment. Conclusions Participation in physical activity differs by types of activities and demographic characteristics. Physical activity promotion programs should take these differences into account when developing intervention strategies.

Utilitarian and Recreational Walking Among Spanish- and English-Speaking Latino Adults in Micropolitan US Towns

“…Our findings for recreational walking among Latinos in micropolitan towns also were consistent with the literature examining leisure time physical activity among Latinos [4, 21, 27, 28]. We observed that fewer SSLs than ENLs engaged in recreational walking, even after controlling for other factors.…”

“…This population growth underscores the pressing need to understand Latino health behaviors, including walking, in these locations. Walking is the most frequent type of physical activity reported by US adults [2–4], and is associated with an array of benefits, including greater longevity [5–7] and reduced chronic disease [5, 6, 8–11]. It is inexpensive, accessible and more likely to be sustained than other types of physical activity [12].…”

“…Research using national, predominately metropolitan, data shows that Latinos were less likely to engage in leisure-time walking than non-Latinos [4, 25] and they were less likely to meet national recommendations for physical activity [26]. Other studies using national data indicate that leisure-time physical activity, including walking, among Latinos increased with English language usage [21] and this finding held for Latinas, including Mexican–American women, in North Carolina [27] and Mexican–Americans nationally [28].…”

Physical activity compared to adiposity and risk of liver-related mortality: Results from two prospective, nationwide cohorts

“…These categories were selected because walking is readily adoptable and was the most commonly-reported form of exercise, as it is in the broader US population. 42 Early adulthood weight change was calculated as the difference between weight in mid-life (1986) and early adulthood weight, and grouped into 5 categories. 33 WC and WHR were modeled continuously and in quartiles.…”

Neighborhood walkability, physical activity, and walking for transportation: A cross-sectional study of older adults living on low income

“…Walking, and in particular, outdoor walking, is the most common form of physical activity for older adults [11]. Walking requires minimal equipment, and intensity is dictated by the individual.…”