Walking trends among U.S. adults: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1987–2000

doi:10.1016/S0749-3797(03)00112-0

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Volume 25, Issue 2, August 2003, Pages 95-100

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(03)00112-0 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To examine trends in walking among adults in 31 states.

Methods

Trends by sociodemographic strata were analyzed from respondents who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Results

The prevalence of walking among men increased 3.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]=2.4–5.2), from 26.2% (95% CI=25.1–25.3) in 1987 to 30.1% (95% CI=29.4–30.8) in 2000. In women, walking increased 6.6% (95% CI=5.4–7.8), from 40.4% (95% CI=–39.4–41.1) to 46.9% (95% CI=46.2–47.6) during the same time period. However, the prevalence of walking three times a week for 30 minutes duration remained constant across all years. The largest increases occurred in minority subpopulations: 8.7% (95% CI=3.2–14.2) in Hispanic women, 8.5% (95% CI=4.4–12.6) non–Hispanic black women, and 7.0% (95% CI=2.3–11.7) in non–Hispanic black men. Walking was the most frequently reported activity among adults who met the national recommendations for regular physical activity (defined as five or more times a week for ≥30 minutes per session).

Conclusions

Given the acceptability of walking across all sociodemographic subgroups, efforts to increase the frequency of walking could markedly increase the percentage of U.S. adults who engage in regular physical activity, a national priority identified in the Healthy People 2010 objectives for the nation.

Introduction

I ncreased physical activity for all has been identified as a national priority because of its association with a reduced risk for heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.1, 2 Furthermore, increasing physical activity is one of two recommended strategies for the prevention of obesity, a significant public health problem.3 Healthy People 20102 objectives provide direction for health promotion activities to reduce disease and disability and have established the nation’s prevention agenda. One national priority is to increase the proportion to 30% of adults who engage regularly, preferable daily, in moderate physical activity for ≥30 minutes per day. Research has demonstrated that virtually all individuals will benefit from regular physical activity.1 For people who are inactive, even small increases in physical activity are associated with measurable health benefits.2 In addition, moderate physical activity is more readily adopted and maintained than vigorous physical activity.1, 2 Accordingly, in an effort to increase physical activity outside of work, public health campaigns have promoted walking, the most popular type of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in the United States.4 However, state-specific cross-sectional research has shown that most walkers need to increase their frequency of walking to reach the national guideline recommendations5 (≥30 minutes of physical activity of moderate intensity on most, if not all days of the week).1 Results of recent research have shown that overall LTPA trends remained unchanged from 1990 through 1998.6 However, national trends in walking for physical activity have not been reported.

Because the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) has incorporated identical questions for LTPA since 1987, it provides a unique opportunity to examine trends in walking. The purpose of this analysis was to examine trends in walking among U.S. adults from 1987 through 2000 and to examine the extent to which walking contributes to U.S. adults meeting national guidelines for regular physical activity.

Section snippets

Methods

The BRFSS is a continuous, population-based telephone survey conducted by state health departments in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BRFSS collects information from adults (aged ≥18 years) living in households. The objective of the BRFSS is to collect uniform, state-specific data on preventive health practices and risk behaviors that are linked to chronic diseases, injuries, and preventable infectious diseases in the adult population. The BRFSS uses

Results

Among all age groups for both men and women, the most frequently reported physical activity was walking. In 1987, for example, 26.2% of men and 40.4% of women reported walking as one of their two most frequent LTPAs. A higher prevalence of women than men reported walking for all age groups and all other subgroups. The prevalence of walking was two to three times higher than those of the next most frequently reported activities. After walking, women reported aerobics (20.9%), gardening (14.0%),

Conclusion

From 1987 through 2000, the prevalence of walking for LTPA has increased modestly, with variations by subgroups. The largest increase occurred in subpopulations that traditionally are associated with the highest levels of physical inactivity (i.e., older people and minorities).4, 9 However, the frequency of walking has remained at slightly under three times per week and the average session at approximately 30 minutes.4 Among all survey years, walking either as a singular exercise or in

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Research articleWalking trends among U.S. adults: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1987–2000

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Conclusion

J Clin Epidemiol

Caloric imbalance and public health policy

JAMA

The epidemiology of walking for exerciseimplications for promoting activity among sedentary groups

Am J Public Health

Compliance with physical activity recommendations by walking for exercise—Michigan, 1996 and 1998

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep

Physical activity trends—United States, 1990–1998

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep

Research article
Walking trends among U.S. adults: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1987–2000