Prevalence And Characteristics Of Us State-level Physical Activity And Public Health Planning

Abstract

PURPOSE: The prevalence and attributable risk of disease due to physical inactivity requires it be made a public health priority. Public health planning allows for prioritization and resource allocation, particularly at the state and local level. The extent to which state planning efforts for physical activity exist in the US is unknown. METHODS: We developed and conducted a standardized internet search audit of each of 50 US states and the District of Columbia to determine the prevalence and characteristics of health planning documents that include physical activity. Data regarding prevalence and characteristics and degree of alignment with existing physical activity guidelines were abstracted for analyses. RESULTS: Overall, physical activity was part of 215 health planning documents in 50 states. These documents ranged from those addressing various chronic diseases in adults, physical education in children and/or adolescents, or specifically stand-alone physical activity physical activity plans (n=2). Only 9.8% of documents specifically mentioned older adults as a priority population. For children and adolescents, 28.5% of documents aligned correctly with current aerobic physical activity guidelines, 6.6% with current muscle strengthening guidelines and 5.3% with current bone-strengthening guidelines. For adults, 28.5% of health planning documents aligned with current aerobic activity guidelines and 11.6% aligned with muscle strengthening guidelines. Only 22 (11%) of state planning documents aligned entirely with the US National Physical Activity Plan sector-based approach to physical activity promotion. CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve state-level physical activity planning in the US are needed.