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Key Physical Activity Resources |
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Data and Surveillance
Assessment of current levels of physical activity and inactivity is
critical for defining the extent of the problem, guiding public health
efforts, and evaluating progress toward national health objectives. A survey
examines public health issues by asking a sample of the population about
their health and lifestyles. The prevalence of health conditions or
behaviors in a population is measured using survey data. A surveillance
system is a series of surveys conducted again and again, monitoring
long-term trends in public health. A surveillance system is used to examine
public health issues across several years; to track the trends,
compare health among groups of people, and determine whether something is
improving or worsening for a specific group of people.
Data and Analysis
2001—2007 U.S. Physical Activity Statistics
What percent of the population in your city and state is physically active?
Find out in the physical activity statistics database. Search by
demographics and physical activity levels for a metropolitan area, state, or
national estimate.
Healthy People 2010
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Healthy People 2010 presents a comprehensive, nationwide health promotion
and disease prevention agenda. It is designed to serve as a roadmap for
improving the health of all people in the United States during the first
decade of the 21st century.
The 467 Healthy People 2010 objectives are being tracked by 190 data
sources, 15 objectives are for physical activity.
Surveillance Systems
Explanation of US Physical Activity
Surveys
Several different national surveys track physical activity in many age
groups and at several levels for the United States national public health
objectives. This section provides background information understanding and
comparing the various physical activity surveys.
CDC Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System (BRFSS)
The BRFSS uses a population-based telephone survey to assess behavioral
health risk factors of American adults since 1984. The BRFSS provides
national and state data.
National Health Interview
Survey (NHIS)
The NHIS is a household survey based at the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) that has used household interviews to provide national health
statistics since 1957. Baseline statistics for Healthy People 2010
objectives and for the Leading Indicators for physical activity for adults
come from this survey.
National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
NHANES provides statistics about the health of Americans through a
combination of personal interviews and direct physical examinations.
CDC Youth Risk
Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
YRBSS monitors priority health risk behaviors that contribute markedly to
the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and
adults in the United States. The YRBSS includes national, state, and local
school-based surveys of representative samples of 9th through 12th grade
students.
Related Resources
National Center for
Health Statistics
A surveillance system and rich source of statistical information used as a
public resource for health information.
International Physical Activity
Questionnaires*
A set of instruments that can be used internationally to obtain comparable
estimates of physical activity. There are two versions of the
questionnaire. The short version is suitable for use in national and
regional surveillance systems and the long version provide more detailed
information often required in research work or for evaluation purposes.
Physical Activity Data and
Surveillance Quick Start
(PDF-54k)
This resource provides key references and tools for planning and
implementing physical activity surveillance.
Please note: Some of these publications are available for download only as *.pdf files. These files require Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed. Please review the information on downloading and using Acrobat Reader software.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last updated: September 30, 2008
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
