As part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFSS) conducted in Rhode Island (RI) during March to April, 1998, questions to evaluate the prevalence of "lifestyle" physical activity (LSPA) in accordance with the Surgeon General's recommendations (SGR) were included. These recommendations were adopted to help address the current rates of physical inactivity in the United States. Interventions desiged to help individuals' incorporate physical activity into their daily life can make physical activity seem more easily attainable and accessible. A disproportionate stratified statewide random sample of 2,998 RI residents ³18 years (1,200 males; 1,798 females) was surveyed. Using the LSPA, respondents were classified as physically active if they participated in regular moderate to vigorous physical activity during leisure or non-leisure for a total of ³30 minutes per day (one or more bouts ³10 minutes each) on ³5 days per week. Using weighted results, 66% of respondents were physically active. Of those meeting the SGR by the LSPA, 48% did continuous physical activity, 30% intermittent activity, and the remainder did both. Older adults, retirees and persons unable to work, those widowed or divorced, and people with impairments or poorer health more commonly reported participation in intermittent physical activity. Further work to characterize the physical activity of Rhode Island residents and the efficacy of population-based physical activity interventions is ongoing and will be discussed as a basis for targeting population-wide interventions.
Learning Objectives: 1.To discuss the development and use of a lifestyle physical activity questionnaire for population surveillance 2.To describe surveillance data about physical activity behavior. 3.To discuss continuing work with surveillance of physical activity and the use of these data to evaluate the efficacy of population physical activity interventions
Keywords: Physical Activity, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.