Abstract 038: Improvements in Meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans by Cardiovascular Disease Status — United States, 2012 and 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity can help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease (CVD), and is one of the AHA Life’s Simple 7 metrics. Recent behavioral recommendations have specifically targeted physical activity for adults at high risk for CVD. For example, in 2014 the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended intensive behavioral counseling interventions for adults with cardiovascular risk factors. Our purpose was to examine the magnitude of differences in prevalence of meeting the aerobic component of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans by CVD status over five years. Methods: Nationally representative self-reported data from the 2012 and 2017 National Health Interview Survey (N=32,568 and N=25,258 respectively) were analyzed. Prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline was estimated overall and by CVD status (no CVD/not at risk; at risk for CVD: overweight or has obesity and ≥1 of diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension; or having CVD). T-tests were used to identify significant differences. Results: Similar differences in age-adjusted prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline were observed across CVD statuses in both 2012 and 2017, with adults with no CVD and not at risk having the highest prevalence (57.7% in 2017) and those with CVD having the lowest prevalence (38.5% in 2017) (p<0.05). From 2012 to 2017, prevalence increased significantly overall (7.8%), among those with no CVD and not at risk (7.8%), and among those at risk (13.0%) (p<0.001). Among those with CVD, the increase (8.5%) was not significant. Conclusions: Prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline showed significant improvement among adults with better CVD statuses; however, only about half of those at risk and 39% of those with CVD currently meet the aerobic guideline. The anticipated release of the 2 nd edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines presents an important opportunity for promoting physical activity. Efforts to identify and address the barriers those with higher CVD risk face could help prevent or manage CVD.