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

Simpson, Mary Ellen; Serdula, Mary; Galuska, Deborah A; Gillespie, Cathleen; Donehoo, Ralph; Macera, Carol; Mack, Karin

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

« Previous Next »American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume 25, Issue 2 , Pages 95-100, August 2003

Walking trends among U.S. adults:

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1987–2000

Mary Ellen Simpson, PhD, RN
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Applied Public Health Training, Epidemiology Program Office (Simpson), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Serdula, Galuska, Gillespie), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Address correspondence to: Mary Ellen Simpson, RN, PhD, MCH Epidemiologist, Illinois Department of Human Services (Assigned by CDC), Bureau of Performance Management Services and Support, 535 W. Jefferson Street, Springfield IL 62702, USA.
Mary Serdula, MD, MPH
- Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Serdula, Galuska, Gillespie), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Deborah A Galuska, MPH, PhD
- Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Serdula, Galuska, Gillespie), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Cathleen Gillespie, MS
- Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Serdula, Galuska, Gillespie), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Ralph Donehoo, MPH
- Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Donehoo, Mack), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Carol Macera, PhD
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University (Macera), San Diego, California, USA
Karin Mack, PhD
- Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Donehoo, Mack), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

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.