2007 Georgia data summary: physical activity in adults [July 2007]

2007 Georgia Data Summary:
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ADULTS

Lack of regular physical activity can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and poor mental health.

Adults do not get enough regular physical activity.

Percentage of regularly active* adults in Georgia
Only 2 in 5 (42%) adults are regularly active.
Men (44%) are more likely to be regularly active than women (40%).
Young adults aged 18-24 years (51%) are more likely to be active than older adults aged 65+ years (33%).
The Healthy People 2010 national goal for regular physical activity in adults is 50%.

Percent

Percent of regularly active adults in Georgia, 2005

100 80
60 42 40

National Goal: 50%

44

40

51 33

20

0
Overall

Men Women

18-24

65+

Policies and environments in communities, worksites, and health care settings impact physical activity behaviors in adults.
Communities Adults with a safe and convenient place to walk in their community are more likely to be regularly active (42%) than
adults without a safe place to walk (27%).
Neighborhood sidewalks and streets, public parks, school tracks, fitness centers, and walking trails, are the most common places to walk among adults in Georgia.
Worksites Few worksites (< 24%) in Georgia have organizational policies, environmental features, or programs to encourage
employees to be regularly active.
Health care# Most health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in Georgia have policies to support physical activity by providing
educational material, counseling, or discounts or fee reductions to join programs to all members.

Only one HMO in Georgia has a policy to reimburse providers and paid members for physical activity assessments and counseling from specialists.

Physical inactivity cost Georgia $613 million in hospital charges in 2005.

Physical inactivity has had a severe health and economic impact on the state. In 2005, insufficient activity and inactivity were responsible for: - 3,265 deaths - 20,170 hospitalizations - $613 million in hospital charges

Definition of regular physical activity: *30+ minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days per week or 20+ minutes of vigorous physical activity on 3 or more days per week.

Data sources: 2005 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2001 Georgia Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System

2002 Georgia Worksite Survey

# 2004 Georgia Health Plan Survey

2005 Georgia Vital Statistics

2005 Georgia Hospital Discharge Data

Date updated: July 2007

Publication number: DPH07.111HW

Visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/nutandpa/data.asp for more information on the prevalence of physical activity in Georgia.

Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health 2 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 657-3103 ga-physical@dhr.state.ga.us http://health.state.ga.us