Public health indicators show rates of physical activity, and chronic diseases related to physical inactivity such as diabetes and high blood pressure. People being overweight or having obesity can also be related to physical activity or inactivity. Physical activity reduces the likelihood of many chronic conditions and improves health outcomes.
Data on this page:
- Physical Activity by Adults Over Time
- Percent of Population that is Overweight or has Obesity
- Percent of Population that has Diabetes or Hypertension
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services first issued physical activity guidelines in 2008 to provide “evidence-based advice on how physical activity can help promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.” Updated guidelines were published in 2018 with additional evidence about “Immediate and longer term benefits for how people feel, function, and sleep” and that “even short episodes of physical activity are beneficial.” You can learn more here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/second-edition/.
The minimum aerobic physical activity guideline is defined as moderate intensity physical activity for 150 minutes per week or more, or vigorous intensity physical activity for 75 minutes per week or more, or an equivalent combination.
The high aerobic physical activity guideline is defined as moderate intensity physical activity for 300 minutes per week or more, or vigorous intensity physical activity for 150 minutes per week or more, or an equivalent combination.
Physical Activity by Adults Over Time
Footnote 24
Percent of Population that is Overweight or Has Obesity
Footnote 25
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of the person’s height in meters. 26 When using pounds and inches, a conversion factor is used. BMI is often used as a screening tool. It is not a diagnostic tool that assesses the health of an individual. For adults, BMI is interpreted into weight status categories: underweight, normal or healthy weight, overweight, and obese. People who have obesity, compared to people with normal or healthy weight, are at an increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions. 27
Percent of Population that has Diabetes or Hypertension
Footnote 28
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics Table 25. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2019.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics Table 26. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2019.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Adult BMI (last updated August 29, 2017). Available at https://cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity (last updated June 5, 2015). Available at https://www.cdc. gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics Table 21. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2019.htm
