Disability and Physical Activity in Florida: The Correlates of Physical Activity among Floridians Living with a Disability using the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Approximately 20% of the U.S. population is living with a disability and 56% of people with a disability do not engage in leisure-time physical activity. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between adequate physical activity and disability status.

Using data from the 2007 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we used two logistic regression models to compare physical activity levels among people with and without disabilities. The outcome in model one is meeting the recommended levels of physical activity, defined as engaging in 30 minutes of moderate activity at least 5 times per week or 20 minutes of vigorous activity at least 3 times per week. The outcome in model two is participation in any physical activity. People with a disability were less likely to meet physical activity recommendations, and in particular, the effect of disability was stronger for women (OR=0.66, CI: 0.55, 0.79) than for men (OR=0.84, CI: 0.67, 1.04). Age was inversely associated with physical activity levels (OR=0.44, CI: 0.22, 0.64, for age 85+ compared to age 35-44). Hispanic ethnicity was associated with less participation in physical activity (OR=0.50, CI: 0.38, 0.67). People who had a health care provider (OR=1.54, CI: 1.18, 2.01), reported higher levels of education (OR=2.33, CI: 1.68, 3.25), income (OR=1.16, CI: 0.76, 1.77), and who reported a good or better health status were more likely to participate in physical activity (OR=2.40, CI: 1.93, 2.99). These data suggest public health programs promoting physical activity should include people with a disability.