Variables related to meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between perceived importance of physical activity and demographic variables and cur rent physical activity level with specific reference to the CDC/ACSM guidel ines for sufficient physical activity for a health benefit. Methods: Physic al activity levels were assessed by a telephone survey of 2002 households t hroughout the continental United States and the District of Columbia to det ermine whether the individuals met the CDC/ACSM physical activity guideline s. Results: Results indicate that 68% of the respondents are physically act ive below the CDC/ACSM criterion. Chi-square analysis revealed significant relationships between meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines and 1) perceived importance of physical inactivity as a health risk (P < 0.000 1), and 2) gender (P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that having a greater awareness of the health risks of physical inactivity impro ved the odds ratio (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.21-1.62) of being sufficiently ph ysically active for a health benefit by 40% (P < 0.0001) and being a male i mproved the odds ratio (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.17-1.79) of being sufficientl y physically active for a health benefit by 45% (P < 0.0006). Conclusions: Implications for health and physical fitness researchers and practitioners are that they need to improve awareness of life span fitness benefits and d evelop intervention programs based on individuals' current physical activit y levels.