A Retrospective Study Examining Self-Reported Physical Activity Levels Among Asthma Patients Using the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Database.

Abstract

Regular physical activity benefits respiratory health by reducing the risk of developing asthma. This is achieved by reducing bronchial hyperresponsiveness and preventing lung function decline. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of self-reported physical activity among asthma patients in the United States in 2021, based on demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare access variables. The original research study was conducted using the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) database for the year 2021. Data regarding asthma status, physical activity, age, gender, race, education level, income level, employment status, and time since the last routine check-up were collected. In the BRFSS study conducted in the USA in 2021, there were 43,6121 participants in total. Of these, 61,362 (14.07%) had asthma and 374,759 (85.93%) did not; 43,678 (71.2%) participants with asthma were engaging in physical activity while 17,684 (28.8%) were not. In the group of participants who did not have the disease, 285,932 (76.3%) were engaging in physical activity and 88,827 (23.7%) were not. Demographically, the highest physical activity among those with asthma was observed in the age group of 18 to 24 years (4,079, 83%), male participants (17,725, 76.4%), and white non-Hispanics (31,964, 72.5%). Higher physical activity levels among asthma patients were associated with advanced education 31,947 (76.5%), employment 23,233 (79.8%), and annual incomes exceeding $150,000, 4,091 (89.9%). Participants who self-reported not having asthma have a higher prevalence of physical activity in all categories studied. There is a significant association between physical activity and self-reported asthma, shaped by demographic and socioeconomic factors, as well as the frequency of routine medical check-ups.