Trends in Meeting the Aerobic Physical Activity Guideline Among Adults With and Without Select Chronic Health Conditions, United States, 1998–2018

Background: Physical activity is central to the management and control of many chronic health conditions. The authors examined trends during the past 2 decades in the prevalence of US adults with and without select chronic health conditions who met the minimal aerobic physical activity guideline. Methods: The 1998–2018 National Health Interview Survey data were analyzed. Prevalence of meeting the minimal aerobic physical activity guideline among adults with and without 6 chronic health conditions was estimated across 3-year intervals. Linear and higher-order trends were assessed overall and by age group. Results: During the past 2 decades, prevalence of meeting the aerobic guideline increased among adults with diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and arthritis. However, the absolute increase in prevalence was lower among adults with hypertension, coronary heart disease, and arthritis compared to counterparts without each condition, respectively. Prevalence was persistently lower among those with most chronic health conditions, except cancer, and among older adults compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: Although rising trends in physical activity levels among adults with chronic health conditions are encouraging for improving chronic disease management, current prevalence remains low, particularly among older adults. Increasing physical activity should remain a priority for chronic disease management and control.

A New Decade of Healthy People: Considerations for Comparing Youth Physical Activity Across 2 Surveillance Systems

Background: Healthy People 2030 includes objectives to increase meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline for ages 6–13 years (of ages 6–17 y, monitored by National Survey of Children’s Health [NSCH]) and grades 9 to 12 (mostly aged 14–18+ y, monitored by Youth Risk Behavior Survey [YRBS]). This study compares methodologies, prevalence, and patterns of meeting the guideline, particularly for overlapping ages 14–17 years. Methods: Nationally representative surveys, 2016–2017 NSCH (adult proxy report, 6–17 y) and 2015 and 2017 YRBS (self-report, grades 9–12), assess meeting the guideline of ≥60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. Prevalence and odds ratios were estimated by age group and demographics. Results: For youth aged 14–17 years, 17.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.1–18.7; NSCH) and 27.0% (95% CI, 25.6–28.5; YRBS) met the guideline. 25.9% (95% CI, 24.8–27.2) aged 6–13 years (NSCH) and 26.6% (95% CI, 25.3–28.0) in grades 9 to 12 (YRBS) met the guideline. Across surveys, fewer females (P < .001) and Asian youth (P < .001 except among NSCH 14–17 y) met the guideline. Conclusions: Neither methodology nor estimates for meeting the aerobic guideline are similar across surveys, so age continuity between juxtaposed estimates should not be assumed by magnitude nor age for separate Healthy People 2030 youth physical activity objectives.

Sustaining or Declining Physical Activity: Reports from an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Older Adults

Over 80% of adults in the US fail to meet the ≥150 min weekly physical activity guideline; 40% age ≥ 75 are entirely inactive. The study purpose was to understand the reasons why community-dwelling older adults (age ≥ 60) from diverse backgrounds increase, sustain, or decline in their physical activity levels over time. Sixty-two older adults were interviewed. Two-thirds of the African Americans, 57% of the Afro-Caribbeans, and 50% of the European Americans reported being less active than 2–3 years ago. Reasons for activity decline included health issues (e.g., pain, shortness of breath), lack of time, interest, or motivation. Reasons for sustaining or increasing activity levels included meeting personal goals, having a purpose for remaining active, or feeling better when active (e.g., it is important to keep moving, good for the joints, going on a cruise). Themes identified were pride in maintaining activity, goal-driven activity, pushing oneself to get past pain or fatigue, and some confusion between social and physical activity in participant reports. The results indicate widespread acceptance that activity is beneficial, but that knowledge alone was insufficient to maintain activity levels over time unless individuals had a goal or purpose (“means to an end”) and could overcome their physical and psychological barriers to physical activity.

Sustainable Mobility Promotion During COVID-19

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Korea, surveys have reported rising issues with physical inactivity and obesity, social isolation, and economic depression. We analyzed the implications of active mobility and attuned it towards Korean society, exploring the possible scenarios, cases, and policies. Our research recommended active mobility to be an effective solution. Originally, the keywords used in Google Scholar were COVID-19, active mobility, and physical activity. To add more depth, active transport and active travel were inserted later on. The physical activity guideline, socioeconomic and environmental mechanisms were explored by scouring through documents published by various institutions and local authorities. Other cases about active mobility were summarized, while policy interventions, such as utilizing active travel to school were suggested. Sustainable Transport strives for the development of efficient methods of personal mobility on three major fronts: economic growth, environmental preservation (13 SDGs), and social development. Since the emergence of COVID-19, cases of sustainable active mobility have increased; countries utilizing WHO’s Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to find ways to improve health and well-being. Based on the recent development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), infrastructure, and the legal system in Korea, the country needs to implement safe methods for active mobility to develop further. Sustainable mobility could positively address the problems that arose with the emergence of COVID-19. Using good cases with a careful application to Korean society is necessary. Some policy interventions including active travel to school could be applicable with careful preparation and participation. Prudent advocacy from the government is also needed to promote new regulations. When we read about COVID-19 rapidly spreading across Europe, especially Italy, both researchers were alarmed at the news. As time passed, we were intrigued by the quick reaction of the governments to guide their cities from electric vehicles to sustainable transport. Through this paper, we were able to learn more in-depth details about Italy’s big cities and how they achieved homogeneous awareness regarding sustainable mobility (Table 1). Was COVID-19 the trigger? However, due to the different socioeconomic aspects between Italy and South Korea, the root cause was difficult to discern. We would recommend that future research addresses more comprehensive aspects for foreigners to learn from the study.

Trends in Aerobic Physical Activity Participation Across Multiple Domains Among US Adults, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007/2008 to 2017/2018

Background: Understanding how participation is changing across domains of physical activity is important for monitoring progress and informing promotion efforts. The authors examined changes in physical activity participation in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007/2008 to 2017/2018. Methods: The prevalence of inactivity, insufficient activity, and meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline in multidomain physical activity and each domain (leisure time, occupational/household, and transportation) was estimated for each cycle and stratified by selected characteristics. The authors tested trends over time and overall changes (2017/2018 vs 2007/2008). Results: For multidomain physical activity, the prevalence of inactivity decreased linearly; meeting the aerobic guideline increased nonmonotonically, and the 2017/2018 prevalence (68.1%) was higher than 2007/2008 (64.1%). Similar findings were observed for adults aged ≥65 years, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, high school graduates, and adults with obesity. Domain-specific results varied, but decreasing trends in inactivity and increasing trends in meeting the guideline were consistently observed across subgroups for occupational/household activity. Meeting the guideline through transportation activity was rare. Conclusions: Increases in meeting the guideline and decreases in inactivity in multidomain activity and selected domains are encouraging results, especially among subgroups historically reporting low activity participation. Activity promotion efforts are important to maintain progress, and the transportation domain may be an underutilized source of physical activity.