Citation

Tucker JM, Welk GJ, Beyler NK. Am. J. Prev. Med. 2011; 40(4): 454-461.

Affiliation

Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amepre.2010.12.016

PMID

21406280

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To date, no study has objectively measured physical activity levels among U.S. adults according to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAGA). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess self-reported and objectively measured physical activity among U.S. adults according to the PAGA. METHODS: Using data from the NHANES 2005-2006, the PAGA were assessed using three physical activity calculations: moderate plus vigorous physical activity ≥150 minutes/week (MVPA); moderate plus two instances of vigorous physical activity ≥150 minutes/week (M2VPA); and time spent above 3 METs ≥500 MET-minutes/week (METPA). Self-reported physical activity included leisure, transportation, and household activities. Objective activity was measured using Actigraph accelerometers that were worn for 7 consecutive days. Analyses were conducted in 2009-2010. RESULTS: U.S. adults reported 324.5±18.6 minutes/week (M±SE) of moderate physical activity and 73.6±3.9 minutes/week of vigorous physical activity, although accelerometry estimates were 45.1±4.6 minutes/week of moderate physical activity and 18.6±6.6 minutes/week of vigorous physical activity. The proportion of adults meeting the PAGA according to M2VPA was 62.0% for self-report and 9.6% for accelerometry. CONCLUSIONS: According to the NHANES 2005-2006, fewer than 10% of U.S. adults met the PAGA according to accelerometry. However, physical activity estimates vary substantially depending on whether self-reported or measured via accelerometer.

Language: en