Limitations on the use of a single screening question to measure sedentary behavior.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the limitations of identifying sedentary individuals via an existing screening question in a state-based surveillance system.


METHODS
A national sample (n = 7529) of adults, selected by random-digit dialing between November 1999 and May 2000, responded about participation in leisure-time physical activity.


RESULTS
Of those who initially reported no leisure-time physical activity (25%), 85% were engaging in at least some activity, and 20% were engaging in enough moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity to meet health-related recommendations.


CONCLUSIONS
Public health programs that use only 1 screening question to identify sedentary behavior may not be able to target physical activity messages effectively, especially if physical activity is defined to include a broad range of activities beyond sports.
Macera
C A
CA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Ham
S A
SA
Jones
D A
DA
Kimsey
C D
CD
Ainsworth
B E
BE
Neff
L J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology