Definition

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported doing muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week.

Numerator

Number of adults aged 18 years and older who reported doing muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week.

Denominator

Number of surveyed adults aged 18 years and older.

Data Interpretation Issues

This question was first asked on BRFSS in 2011. 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. 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-muscle-strengthening-activity-pa-04/ '''Healthy People 2030 PA-04''']:[[br]] Increasing the proportion of adults who do enough muscle-strengthening activity.[[br]] National Target: 36.6%

How Are We Doing?

The first BRFSS data on muscle-strengthening activity became available in 2011. The age-adjusted rate for 2011 was 31.4%, In 2023, the rate increased to 44.1%. Males (48.1%) reported more muscle-strengthening activity than females (40.1%, age-adjusted rates).

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Compared to the nation, Utah adults report doing more muscle-strengthening activity. In 2019, 38.0% of Utah adults reported doing muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week (age-adjusted). In 2019, the national rate was 35.6%.

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: [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 engaging in muscle strengthening activity.

Health Care System Factors

Health care system factors relate to access to care and a reported low rate of health care provider counseling for physical activity recommendations. Communication between patients and their physicians may be an opportunity to encourage patients to increase physical activity including muscle strengthening.

Risk Factors

Low education and being female are associated with lower rates of participation in recommended amount of muscle-strengthening activity.

Health Status Outcomes

Progressive muscle-strengthening activities increase or preserve muscle mass, strength, and power. Higher amounts (through greater frequency or higher weights) improve muscle function.

The percentage of adults meeting the recommended amount of muscle-strengthening activity is consistently higher in Utah than for the U.S. but the difference is slight.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 population. ** The 2021 BRFSS Questionnaire did not include questions related to muscle-strengthening physical activity so data is not available for this year.

Meeting recommended amount of muscle-strengthening activity was highest among the youngest adults aged 18-34, for both males and females.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.

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]

Hispanic adults had lower rates of meeting the recommended amount of muscle-strengthening than non-Hispanic adults and Utah adults overall.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]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]

Black/African American adults had the highest rate of engaging in the recommended amount of muscle-strengthening activity.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]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]

Weber-Morgan had a significantly lower percentage of respondents meet muscle-strengthening exercise recommendations (37.7%) in 2023 than other local health districts.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]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]

Utah Small Areas with rates of engagement in the recommended amount of muscle-strengthening activity that are significantly higher or lower than the state are shown in the table below.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]] 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]

Adults in households with higher income levels have higher rates of engaging in the recommended amount of muscle-strengthening activity than adults in households with lower income levels.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]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]

Rates of meeting the recommended amount of muscle-strengthening activity increased with education level.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]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]

Males have higher rates of recommended muscle-strengthening activity than females. Note these rates are age-adjusted. An earlier graph, showing rates by age and sex, uses crude rates.

Data Notes

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. Charts have been updated from 2011 forward to reflect this change.   [[br]][[br]]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]] [http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/][[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. 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]] 2. 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[[br]] 3. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans: Chapter 2. [http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/chapter2.aspx]