| Demographic Group: | Students in grades 9–12. |
| Numerator: | Respondents in grades 9–12 who report vigorous physical activity (sweating and breathing hard) for >=20 minutes/day on >=3 days during the previous 7 days. |
| Denominator: | Respondents in grades 9–12 who report any or no physical activity (sweating and breathing hard) during the previous 7 days (excluding those who did not answer). |
| Measures of Frequency: | Annual prevalence with 95% confidence interval. |
| Time Period of Case Definition: | Previous 7 days. |
| Background: | In 2003, a total of 63% of students in grades 9–12 participated in vigorous physical activity for >=20 minutes/day on >=3 days during the previous 7 days. The prevalence of participation in vigorous physical activity is higher among male students than among female students. |
| Significance: | Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating contribute to obesity and a number of chronic diseases, including some cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Physical activity reduces the risk for heart disease, colon cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes and its complications, overweight, and osteoporosis. Physical activity patterns established during adolescence might extend into adulthood and affect future chronic disease risk. |
| Limitations of Indicator: | Indicator does not convey information on any beneficial physical activity that is less than vigorous. Although this indicator monitors vigorous physical activity among youth, the indicator for physical activity among adults measures the prevalence of moderate or vigorous physical activity. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommend that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily. |
| Data Resources: | Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/ |
| Limitations of Data Resources: | As with all self-reported sample surveys, YRBSS data might be subject to systematic error resulting from noncoverage (e.g., no participation by certain schools), nonresponse (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions), or measurement (e.g., social desirability or recall bias). |
| Healthy People 2010 Objectives: | 22-7: Increase the proportion of adolescents who engage in vigorous physical activity that promotes cardiorespiratory fitness >=3 days/week for >=20 minutes/occasion. |
