Definition

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who meet aerobic physical activity recommendations of getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate-vigorous intensity activity.

Numerator

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who report they participate in aerobic physical activity recommendations of getting at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate-vigorous intensity activity.

Denominator

Number of surveyed adults aged 18 years and older.

Data Interpretation Issues

The wording for this question changed in 2011 and trend data should be interpreted with that change in mind. Prior to 2011, the definition of this indicator was "Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who report light or moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes five or more times per week or who report vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes three or more times per week." To reduce bias and more accurately represent population data, the BRFSS has changed survey methodology. In 2010, it began conducting surveys by cellular phone in addition to landline phones. It also adopted "iterative proportional fitting" (raking) as its weighting method. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf].

Why Is This Important?

Physical activity protects independently against cardiovascular disease. Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Physical activity improves general physical and mental health. Regular physical activity helps to relieve pain from osteoarthritis. Regular physical activity is also known to improve effective disorders such as depression and anxiety, and increase quality of life and independent living among the elderly. ^1^[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/php/about/index.html Physical Activity: Why It Matters]

Other Objectives

[https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/physical-activity/reduce-proportion-adults-who-do-no-physical-activity-their-free-time-pa-01/ '''Healthy People 2030 PA-01''']:[[br]] Reduce the proportion of adults who do no physical activity in their free time.[[br]] National Target: 21.8% [https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/physical-activity/increase-proportion-adults-who-do-enough-aerobic-physical-activity-substantial-health-benefits-pa-02/ '''Healthy People 2030 PA-02''']:[[br]] Increase the proportion of adults who do enough aerobic physical activity for substantial health benefits.[[br]] National Target: 52.9% [https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/physical-activity/increase-proportion-adults-who-do-enough-aerobic-physical-activity-extensive-health-benefits-pa-03/ '''Healthy People 2030 PA-03''']:[[br]] Increase the proportion of adults who do enough aerobic physical activity for extensive health benefits.[[br]] National Target: 33.9%

How Are We Doing?

The Healthy People 2030 U.S. target for adults who do enough aerobic physical activity for substantial health benefits is 52.9%. Utah has reported above this target since 2013.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Compared to the nation, Utahns are more physically active. Data from 2019 show that 55.2% of Utah adults reported getting the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity (age-adjusted). Nationally, the 2019 rate was 50.6%.

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program plays a key role in improving the health of residents in the state of Utah. The program was formed in July 2013 (as Healthy Living through Environment, Policy, and Improved Clinical Care: EPICC), through a new funding opportunity from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This allowed for the merging of three previously existing programs: the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and the Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Program, as well as the addition of a school health program. HEAL was recently restructured as part of a strategic planning process. This new program model focuses on staff and partners working together to address the social determinants of health while advancing health equity and increasing policy, systems, and environmental changes. HEAL works: In schools:[[br]] HEAL encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/schools/ schools] to adopt the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/professional_development/e-learning/CSPAP/index.html/ Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program]. This framework encourages students to be physically active for 60 minutes a day through school, home, and community activities. HEAL also works with schools to apply the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/index.htm/ Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model], which emphasizes the role of the community in supporting academic and health success for students. In worksites:[[br]] HEAL offers training on developing worksite wellness programs called Work@Health. HEAL partners with local health departments to encourage worksites to complete the CDC Scorecard and participate in yearly health risk assessments for their employees. HEAL provides toolkits and other resources for employers interested in implementing wellness programs at [https://heal.utah.gov/worksite-wellness/ Worksite Wellness]. In communities:[[br]] HEAL receives federal funding to partner with worksites, community-based organizations, and local health departments to increase access to [https://heal.utah.gov/nutrition/ fresh fruits and vegetables] in worksite and community settings. HEAL also partners with local health departments to work with cities and/or counties within their jurisdictions to foster a built environment that encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/physical-activity/ physical activity]. In healthcare:[[br]] HEAL works with health care systems to establish community clinical linkages to support individuals [https://heal.utah.gov/diabetes/ at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes] or hypertension to engage in lifestyle change programs such as chronic disease self-management and diabetes prevention programs. In childcare:[[br]] HEAL works with state and local partners through the Childcare Obesity Prevention workgroup to implement policy and systems changes in early care and education across agencies statewide. Ten local health departments statewide have implemented the [https://heal.utah.gov/top-star-providers/ TOP Star Program], which aims to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding policies and environments to achieve best practices in childcare centers and homes.

Evidence-based Practices

The HEAL program promotes evidence-based practices collected by the Center TRT. The Center for Training and Research Translation (Center TRT) bridges the gap between research and practice and supports the efforts of public health practitioners working in nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention by: *Reviewing evidence of public health impact and disseminating population-level interventions; *Designing and providing practice-relevant training both in-person and web-based; *Addressing social determinants of health and health equity through training and translation efforts; and, *Providing guidance on evaluating policies and programs aimed at impacting healthy eating and physical activity.[[br]] [[br]] Appropriate evidence based interventions can be found at:[[br]] [https://hpdp.unc.edu/completed-research/center-for-training-and-research-translation-center-trt/]

Available Services

Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your body, from improving your mood to decreasing your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and even certain types of cancers. Visit our Recommendations page to find out what you and your family can do at all ages and ability levels. Our goal is to help you have all the tools you need to be physically fit, happy, and healthy. Visit [https://heal.utah.gov/] for more information.

Health Program Information

HEAL is a program within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Health Promotion and Prevention. HEAL focuses on enabling education and promoting change for public health by engaging its three main audiences: individuals, partners, and decision makers. HEAL champions public health initiatives and addresses the challenges of making health awareness and access truly universal and equitable in eight key areas: nutrition, heart health, diabetes, physical activity, schools, childcare, community health workers, and worksites. Staff from the HEAL Program work with healthcare providers, including diabetes educators, dietitians, pharmacists, community health centers, community health workers, worksites, and health plans to improve the care provided to Utahns across the state. [https://heal.utah.gov/about-us/ '''Overarching Goals''']:[[br]] Healthy People: Increase access to resources that empower all people in Utah to reach their full health potential. Healthy Communities: Increase the capacity of communities to support and promote healthy living for all individuals. Equitable Society: Increase opportunities for people who are under-resourced and under-represented in Utah to live healthy and thriving lives.

Relevant Population Characteristics

There are age, gender, and socio-economic related risk factors associated with physical activity.

Health Care System Factors

Health care system factors relate primarily to access to care and a reported low rate of health care provider counseling for physical activity recommendations.

Risk Factors

The percentage of persons who reported getting the recommended amount of physical activity is lower among adults with lower levels of income and education.

Health Status Outcomes

Small changes in levels of physical activity such as walking or gardening can lead to big improvements in personal health. In fact, the greatest benefits occur among those who have never exercised regularly. Even moderate amounts of exercise can substantially reduce an individual's chance of dying from heart disease, cancer, or other causes.

In 2019, Utah had a higher rate (55.2%) of meeting recommended amount of aerobic physical activity compared the U.S. rate (50.6%). Physical activity questions are generally asked in odd years only. Utah added the questions for the 2012 BRFSS. Changes to the questionnaire in 2012 may have had an effect on the 2012 rate for Utah.

Data Notes

In 2011, the BRFSS changed its methodology from a landline only sample and weighting based on post-stratification to a landline/cell phone sample and raking as the weighting methodology. Raking accounts for variables such as income, education, marital status, and home ownership during weighting and has the potential to more accurately reflect the population distribution. In 2016, Utah BRFSS modified its methodology for age adjustment for increased precision. With this change Utah is consistent with both the U.S. and other states using IBIS. Data has been updated from 2011 onward to reflect this change. Due to changes in both sampling and the wording of the questions in 2011, data for 2011 forward should not be compared to previous years. Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 population. ** The 2021 BRFSS Questionnaire did not include questions related to aerobic activity so no data is available for this year.

The percentage of adults engaging in the recommended amount of aerobic activity increases with age for both males and females.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Non-Hispanic adults have higher rates of meeting the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity than Hispanic adults.

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Utahns (67.7%) and those of two or more races (68.8%) had the highest percentages of meeting aerobic physical activity recommendations in 2023.

Data Notes

Please note that in 2023 the question for race changed. These categories represent respondents reporting a single race alone. If multiple races were given, responses are in the "Two or more races" category. Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Southeast Utah Local Health District had a statistically significantly higher rate than the state.

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population. *Use caution in interpreting; the estimate has a coefficient of variation > 30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population. *Use caution in interpreting; the estimate has a coefficient of variation > 30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards. A description of the Utah Small Areas may be found on the Methodology and Guidelines page: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/resource/Guidelines.html].

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Individuals in higher income categories had higher rates of engaging in the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity.

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Individuals in higher education categories have higher rates of engaging in the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity.

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

References and Community Resources

National Physical Activity Recommendations:[[br]] [https://heal.utah.gov/physical-activity/][[br]] [https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html] CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity: [http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao] The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has extensive resources on physical activity for patients, health care providers, and general consumers: [http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov] The CDC's Prevention Research Centers provide resources and information about physical activity to researchers, public health practitioners, and others who are interested in promoting physical activity in their communities: [http://www.cdc.gov/prc/] More information on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System may be found on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - [http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/] References:[[br]] 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical activity and health: a report of the surgeon general. Atlanta (GA): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Promotion; 1996.[[br]] 2. Knowler WC, Barrett-Connor E, Fowler SE, Hamman RF, Lachin JM, et al. Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. N Engl J Med 2002;346(6):393-403.[[br]] 3. Kesaniemi, Y., et al. (1994). Dose-response issues concerning physical activity and health: an evidence-based symposium. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(6 suppl), S351-S358