Behavior Change and Health News
CDC Reports Increase in Exercise by Adults
A report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, November 21, stated approximately 46.7% of U.S. women and 49.7% of U.S. men do some form of regular exercise on a weekly basis. Although this is an increase of 8.6% in women and 3.5% in men, more effort is needed to get all Americans physically active. Currently, 33% of the U.S. adult population is obese (BMI > 30) compared to only 15% in the 1970s. Authors of the report also noticed racial and educational disparities. Among the Hispanic population, women increased their regular exercise while men actually showed a decrease in regular physical activity. Furthermore, the amount of education a person had also played a factor in the amount of physical activity attained. Those with college educations were more likely to engage in regular physical activity than those who did not complete high school. In addition, the older people became, the less likely they were to engage in physical activity.
Sources:
Source Reuters. November 21, 2007. CDC report shows upswing in exercise by adults. Reuters Accessed November 27, 2007.
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