QuickStats: Percentage of Adults with Selected Chronic Conditions Who Received Recommendations to Exercise or Engage in Physical Activity — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2000 and 2010*

Weekly
June 29, 2012 / 61(25);473

The figure shows the percentage of adults with selected chronic conditions, who received recommendations to exercise or engage in physical activity in the United States during 2000 and 2010, according to the National Health Interview Survey. Physicians and other health-care professionals were more likely in 2010 than in 2000 to recommend that adults with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes begin or continue exercise or physical activity. In both years, adults who had diabetes (47.7% in 2000 and 56.3% in 2010) were more likely than adults with the other three chronic conditions to receive a recommendation for exercise or physical activity.

* Estimates were based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population. Respondents were asked, "During the past 12 months, did a doctor or other health-care professional recommend that you begin or continue to do any type of exercise or physical activity?" Denominator is adults who had visited a physician or other health-care professional in the past 12 months. Estimates were age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population, using four age groups: 18–24, 25–44, 45–64, and ≥65 years.

† 95% confidence interval.

Physicians and other health-care professionals were more likely in 2010 than in 2000 to recommend that adults with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes begin or continue exercise or physical activity. In both years, adults who had diabetes (47.7% in 2000 and 56.3% in 2010) were more likely than adults with the other three chronic conditions to receive a recommendation for exercise or physical activity.

Source: Barnes PM, Schoenborn CA. Trends in adults receiving a recommendation for exercise or other physical activity from a physician or other health professional. NCHS data brief, no. 86. Hyattsville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2012.

Reported by: Patricia M. Barnes, MA, pbarnes@cdc.gov, 301-458-4084.

Alternate Text: The figure above shows the percentage of adults with selected chronic conditions, who received recommendations to exercise or engage in physical activity in the United States during 2000 and 2010, according to the National Health Interview Survey. Physicians and other health-care professionals were more likely in 2010 than in 2000 to recommend that adults with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, or diabetes begin or continue exercise or physical activity. In both years, adults who had diabetes (47.7% in 2000 and 56.3% in 2010) were more likely than adults with the other three chronic conditions to receive a recommendation for exercise or physical activity.