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