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Physical Activity, Chronic Conditions, and Disabilities Across the US Population: Comprehensive Assessment of Current Patterns and Two-Decade Time Trends

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Advances in Exercise and Health for People With Mobility Limitations

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Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of physical activity levels, prevalence of chronic conditions, and disabilities in the United States. First, employing the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data set, the paper identifies current patterns and two-decade time trends related to chronic conditions, self-perception of health status, healthcare coverage, disabilities, and a variety of socioeconomic characteristics of respondents who have participated in exercises during the past month. There is 5% increase in physical activity rates among US population from 1996 to 2006 followed by stable rates around 76% over the past decade. Rates of physically active population with some forms of disabilities are subject to little variations, while chronic conditions exhibit a steady growth over observed years. Considerably higher numbers of physically active respondents have health coverage in 2016 compared to 1996. Second, applying the multinomial logistic regression assessment, I test empirically the impact of physical activities on coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes for population who are limited or disabled because of the physical and/or mental and/or emotional problems. Overall, more frequent exercise activities are associated with decline in the prevalence of coronary heart disease and diabetes for people with disabilities. As baby boomers become eligible for Medicare, providing care for people with chronic conditions and disabilities becomes one of the dominant questions for regulators, academic research, and surrounding public dialogue.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Disabilities include a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional problems for respondents 18 years old and more.

  2. 2.

    Multinomial logistic regression is the linear regression analysis to conduct when either dependent or independents variables are nominal with more than two levels.

  3. 3.

    It refers to annual household income from all sources.

  4. 4.

    Since income brackets in BRFSS have not been subject to changes to reflect inflation, one should be cautious with interpreting these numbers.

  5. 5.

    Among them there are Carroll et al. (1995), Guralnik et al. (1993), Hubley-Kozey et al. (1995), McAuley (1994), and Oddis (1996).

  6. 6.

    Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index is a continuously fielded daily telephone survey of US adults that includes cell phone and landline users in all 50 states and Washington, DC.

  7. 7.

    Defined as BMI is greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2.

  8. 8.

    Defined as BMI is greater than or equal 95th percentile.

  9. 9.

    Includes occasional use or use in certain circumstances.

Abbreviations

ACS:

American Community Survey

ADA:

Americans with Disabilities Act

BRFSS:

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

CDC:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pfeiffer University, Charlotte, NC, USA

    Katerina Ivanov

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  1. Katerina Ivanov
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Correspondence to Katerina Ivanov .

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  1. Health Administration, Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer, NC, USA

    David Hollar

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Ivanov, K. (2019). Physical Activity, Chronic Conditions, and Disabilities Across the US Population: Comprehensive Assessment of Current Patterns and Two-Decade Time Trends. In: Hollar, D. (eds) Advances in Exercise and Health for People With Mobility Limitations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98452-0_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98452-0_12

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