The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's State Indicator Report on Physical Activity for 2014 was released on Tuesday. It provides a breakdown of each state's physical activity behaviors as well as environmental and policy efforts to improve physical activity.
Based on data retrieved from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 2011, researchers analyzed all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine whether people were meeting physical activity guidelines and if states supported relative policy strategies on the issue. The states found to be the least physically active were West Virginia, Tennessee, and Mississippi, with under 15% of the population meeting aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity guidelines.
On the other hand, Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Alaska were the most active, as at least 25% of the city/state population met the proper guidelines. Half of the U.S. had rates between 20% and 24.9% and 19 states were between 15% and 19.9%. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults participate in at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week along with muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. For children, the recommendation is at least one hour of physical activity per day.
Additionally, to achieve more extensive health benefits, the recommendations are set at five hours per week of such activity for adults. Despite these requirements for health, only 20 states provide guidance to districts or school staffs on establishing joint-use agreements for physical activity, no states have child care regulations for such activity among preschoolers, and nearly half of the youth in the US live in neighborhoods that don't have parks, playgrounds, community centers, walking paths, or sidewalks.
"Overall, most states have some supports in place that encourage physical activity, but more work is needed to increase opportunities for people to be physically active in their communities and schools," read the CDC's summary of the report. "These supports may include state-level guidance on recess and physical activities policies in schools, walking or biking to and from school, joint-use agreements, and complete streets policies."
According to the report, many state health departments as well as state and local government agencies are working to improve access and establish policies for communities and schools that need to improve rates of physical activity. For example, Michigan established the Complete Streets Initiative that works to promote access to places that enhance physical activity. Similarly, Boston's Bike-to-Market Program has increased residents' access to bicycles.
In order to reduce the risk and prevalence of chronic diseases that has plagued the United States, we need to start with physical activity to improve our everyday health. You can read more about the State Indicator Report on Physical Activity for 2014 on the CDC website.
