The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64758

Gladys Block, PhD¹, Linda M Dong, MPH², and Rochelle Mandel¹. (1) School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, (510) 643-7896, gblock@uclink.berkeley.edu, (2) Department of Nutritional Sciences, UC Berkeley, 2180 Dwight Way, Suite C, Berkeley, CA 94704

Public health efforts to increase physical activity should be most effective when guided by data on current activity patterns, particularly the role of non-leisure activities. We present here data on the activities that contribute to total energy expenditure in the United States, using data from the National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS). This is the first report of sources of energy expenditure from a nationally representative sample. The NHAPS sampled 4,185 females and 3,330 males, aged 18 years and over. The results are weighted to be representative of the 48 contiguous United States. The nature and duration of all activities performed in the previous 24 hours were reported. This methodology is analogous to that of a 24-hour dietary recall, a method widely used by national surveys. A MET value was assigned to each activity, and a score was created for each activity, by multiplying duration and intensity for each individual and summing across individuals. Activities were then ranked according to their contribution to total population energy expenditure, for the total sample and separately for each sex, race, age, region, and season. Exclusive of sleeping, the largest contributor to the population’s energy expenditure was “Driving a car”, followed by “Office work” and “Watching TV”. Leisure time physical activity contributed only approximately 5% of the population’s total energy expenditure. Household activities accounted for 20.1% and 33.3% of energy expenditure for men and women respectively. This information may be useful in designing assessments of energy expenditure, or programs to modify these behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the sesion, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 3. Describe the methodology of the National Human Activity Pattern Survey.
  6. Describe the physical activities contributing the most to total energy expenditure in the United States.
  9. Discuss potential ways to use this information to promote increased physical activity.

Keywords: Physical Activity, Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.