PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND RACE/ETHNICITY IN THE U.S.

Abstract

PURPOSE Physical activity provides a significant number of health benefits. However, only one-third of Americans are currently reaping these benefits by engaging in recommended levels of physical activity. Furthermore, significant disparities in physical activity patterns exist across the major racial/ethnic groups in the U.S., reflecting disproportionately high rates of chronic diseases among these groups, such as obesity and diabetes. Historically, these differences were shown to exist for leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) where the focus was on planned exercise, sports, and recreation. In 2001, new physical activity questions were used by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to assess LTPA as well as occupational, transportation, and household physical activities. METHODS We analyzed the physical activity data from the 2001 BRFSS by looking across three major race/ethnic groups; white, African-American, and Hispanic, and comparing activity levels of recommended (HP2010 Objectives), insufficient, or inactive. RESULTS A marked patterning for physical activity exists among men and women, with African-Americans and Hispanics less likely to achieve recommended levels of physical activity compared to their white counterparts. African American Men: OR=0.54 (95%CI: .47–.61); African-American women: OR=0.36 (95%CI: .33–.40); Hispanic Men: OR=0.53 (95%CI: .46–.61); Hispanic women: OR=0.47 (95%CI: .42–.53). These associations are also seen comparing these race/ethnic groups across the strata of age, education, income, and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS Because past efforts to promote physical activity among most Americans has had little success, these results may provide insights into which race/ethnic groups in the U.S. have been least affected by such efforts. Finally, by identifying those segments of the population with low levels of physical activity, by specific domain or type of activity, health personnel can better allocate resources and target physical activity intervention efforts for the promotion of health and prevention of disease.