Data and Statistics

Assessment of current levels of physical activity and inactivity is critical for defining the extent of the problem, guiding public health efforts, and evaluating progress toward national health objectives. A survey examines public health issues by asking a sample of the population about their health and lifestyles. The prevalence of health conditions or behaviors in a population is measured using survey data. A surveillance system is a series of surveys conducted again and again, monitoring long-term trends in public health. A surveillance system is used to examine public health issues across several years; to track the trends, compare health among groups of people, and determine whether something is improving or worsening for a specific group of people.

Data and Analysis

U.S. Physical Activity Statistics
What percent of the population in your city and state is physically active? Find out in the physical activity statistics database. Search by demographics and physical activity levels for a metropolitan area, state, or national estimate.

QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged 18 Years Who Engaged in Leisure-Time Strengthening Activities, by Age Group and Sex — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2008
MMWR, September 4, 2009 / 58(34);955

Surveillance Systems

Explanation of US Physical Activity Surveys
Several different national surveys track physical activity in many age groups and at several levels for the United States national public health objectives. This section provides background information understanding and comparing the various physical activity surveys.

CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
The BRFSS uses a population-based telephone survey to assess behavioral health risk factors of American adults since 1984. The BRFSS provides national and state data.

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
The NHIS is a household survey based at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) that has used household interviews to provide national health statistics since 1957. Baseline statistics for Healthy People 2010 objectives and for the Leading Indicators for physical activity for adults come from this survey.

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
NHANES provides statistics about the health of Americans through a combination of personal interviews and direct physical examinations.

CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
YRBSS monitors priority health risk behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States. The YRBSS includes national, state, and local school-based surveys of representative samples of 9th through 12th grade students.

Related  Resources

National Center for Health Statistics
A surveillance system and rich source of statistical information used as a public resource for health information.

International Physical Activity Questionnaires
A set of instruments that can be used internationally to obtain comparable estimates of physical activity. There are two versions of the questionnaire. The short version is suitable for use in national and regional surveillance systems and the long version provide more detailed information often required in research work or for evaluation purposes.

Physical Activity Data and Surveillance Quick Start [PDF-54k]
This resource provides key references and tools for planning and implementing physical activity surveillance.

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