Adherence to the 2008 Adult Physical Activity Guidelines and Mortality Risk

Background Mortality differentials by level and intensity of physical activity have been widely documented. A comprehensive review of scientific evidence of the health benefits of physical activity led the USDHHS to issue new Federal Guidelines for physical activity in 2008. Reductions in mortality risk associated with adherence to these Guidelines among the general U.S. adult population have not yet been studied. Purpose This study compared the relative mortality risks of U.S. adults who met the 2008 Guidelines with adults who did not meet the recommendations. Methods Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relative mortality risks of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years, using data from the 1997–2004 National Health Interview Survey and linked mortality records for deaths occurring in 1997–2006 (analyzed in 2010). Risks for adults with and without chronic health conditions were examined separately. Results Meeting the recommendations for aerobic activity was associated with substantial survival benefits, especially among the population having chronic conditions, with estimated hazard ratios ranging from 0.65 to 0.75 ( p