Metropolitan Area Physical Activity Statistics

This section shows tables of physical activity statistics for metropolitan areas. Statistics are available for recommended levels of lifestyle activity (combined leisure-time, household-related, and transportation-related physical activity) in 2001 and 2002, leisure-time activity in 2000 through 2006, and walking for exercise in 2000 only.

Metropolitan area physical activity statistics were computed from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data that were collected each year beginning in 2000. Leisure-time physical activity statistics from 2002 to 2007 are the same as those released by Selected Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Risk Trends from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (SMART BRFSS). Metropolitan areas were reported with survey samples of at least 500 adults who answered questions about physical activity. Many, but not all, of the largest metropolitan areas in each state were reported. Leisure-time physical activity statistics were reported for 64 metropolitan areas in 2000, 72 metropolitan areas in 2001, and 98 metropolitan areas in 2002. Lifestyle physical activity prevalence statistics were reported for 31 metropolitan areas in 2002, because only 18 states included these physical activity questions on their state surveys. Leisure-time physical activity statistics were reported for 105 metropolitan areas in 2003, 134 metropolitan areas in 2004, 153 metropolitan areas in 2005, and 145 metropolitan areas in 2006. For more information, please see the BRFSS Web site.

Physical activity statistics are available for two different methods of measuring physical activity behaviors: leisure-time activity and lifestyle activity (combined leisure-time, household-related, and transportation-related physical activity). The BRFSS used leisure-time physical activity questions to obtain detailed information about sports, recreation, and exercise in 2000, and had used these same survey questions since 1984. National trend statistics from these questions are available in the2001 MMWR publication, Physical Activity Trends — United States, 1990–1998. In addition, one question that assessed overall leisure-time activity and inactivity has been used each year since 1986. In the 2001 BRFSS, new questions asked about lifestyle activity using a set of questions that inquired about leisure-time, household-related, and transportation-related physical activity. Statistics from the leisure-time and lifestyle questions should not be compared because these questions measured different behaviors. Additional information about this question change is available in the 2003 MMWR publication, Prevalence of Physical Activity, Including Lifestyle Activities Among Adults — United States, 2000–2001.

Metropolitan areas are defined as single counties or groups of counties that contain population centers of 10,000 persons or larger. Every 10 years, the Office of Management and Budget revises the definitions of how counties are included in metropolitan areas based on current population characteristics. Metropolitan areas can be expanded by the addition of counties, or modified by splitting adjacent metropolitan areas along different geographic boundaries. Direct comparisons of statistics for metropolitan areas that are based on different geographic definitions are not recommended. Physical activity statistics in 2000 and 2001 used 1990 metropolitan area definitions that were last revised on June 30, 1999. The 2002-2006 statistics used the 2000 metropolitan area definitions that were published in OMB Bulletin 04-03* (PDF-659k) in June 2003. Additional information about changes in metropolitan area definitions is available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Physical Activity Statistics by Metropolitan Area

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Page last reviewed: June 23, 2008
Page last updated: June 23, 2008
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Metropolitan Area Physical Activity Statistics

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