Trends in Leisure-Time Physical Inactivity by Age, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity — United States, 1994–2004

Physical inactivity is associated with increased risk for certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Despite the benefits of physical activity, more than half of adults in the United States are not regularly active at the recommended levels. Trends in the proportion of adults who achieve the recommended levels of leisure-time physical activity have remained relatively stable over time. However, the proportion of adults from 35 states and the District of Columbia who reported that they did not engage in any leisure-time physical activity declined from 1996 to 2002. To further examine trends in no leisure-time physical activity by population subgroup, CDC analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for the period 1994-2004. This report is the first analysis of BRFSS physical-inactivity trends that includes all 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC). State and local health departments should continue to create programs that encourage adults to be physically active during leisure time.