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Show Behavioral Influences on Health Physical Activity Compiled by Jennifer Mantyla 2001 Percentage of Active Utahns: 83.5% Exercise and physical activity have historically been used synonymously, though their definitions differ slightly. Physical activity is any movement that substantially increases energy expenditure by the contraction of skeletal muscle; whereas exercise is a more planned, structured form of physical activity in order to maintain fitness. Physical activity improves the body's utilization of oxygen and ultimately strengthens the heart. Other benefits include body weight maintenance, increased efficiency of the cardiovascular system, controlled levels of hypertension, and muscle strength and joint flexibility. Physical activity is beneficial to physical and mental health. Exercise and physical activity may significantly increase the overall quality of life. In 1996 the U.S. Surgeon General recommended that all Americans engage in at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Utah has traditionally led the Mountain West region (Table 2) in the percentage of physically active adults, and continues to rank higher than the National average (Table 1). In 2001, the percentage of adults who claimed to be physically active in Utah ranked highest among all 54 states and territories surveyed (includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands). Survey responses revealed that women are generally less active than men (Figure 1); older adults are less active than younger adults, and people with lower incomes are less active than people with higher incomes. Table 1. Percentage of Adult Physical Activity by State, Mountain West Region, 2001. No 21.9 19.2 21.0 22.6 25.8 16.5 21.2 State Yes Arizona 78.1 Colorado 80.8 Idaho 79.0 Nevada 77.4 New Mexico 74.2 Utah 83.5 Wyoming 78.8 Figure 1. Physical Activity Per 100 Adult Population by Gender, Utah and U.S., 2001. 100 -, U.S. Utah 84.6 82.5 Yes No Yes No ¦ Male D Female Table 2. Physical Activity per 100,000 Population by Age Group, YES Utah and U.S., 1996-2001. NO Age: 1996 1998 2001 1996 1998 2001 UTAH U.S. UTAH U.S. UTAH U.S. UTAH U.S. UTAH U.S. UTAH U.S. 18-24 89.8 79.2 89.7 80.8 92.1 81.1 10.3 20.8 10.3 19.2 7.9 18.9 25-34 85.2 75.8 84.5 77.6 86.5 79.0 14.8 24.2 15.5 22.4 13.5 21.0 35-44 83.5 75.0 87.3 73.2 83.3 76.3 16.6 25.0 12.7 26.8 16.7 23.7 45-54 79.7 70.7 78.8 72.3 82.3 74.5 20.3 29.3 21.2 27.7 17.7 25.4 55-64 78.1 66.9 77.8 65.5 78.6 72.1 21.9 33.1 22.2 34.5 21.4 27.8 65 + 77.5 62.6 74.7 61.7 74.9 65.5 22.5 37.4 25.3 38.3 25.1 34.4 Sources: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (1996). Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. [Online] ^^J]2HS£K£MMSiiM^^S!3^lsMJ^^S^sM.- (Pg. 42-43). Retrieved 4/7/03. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (1996-2001>. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Survey data. [Online] 'r, p aw* u\ ^\ m \ Retrieved 3/31/03 Utah's Health: An Annual Review Volume DC 107 |