Leisure-time physical activity patterns among US adults with asthma.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the physical activity patterns among US adults who have asthma.


METHODS
Using data for 165,123 respondents of the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we examined leisure-time physical activity.


RESULTS
After adjusting for age, about 30% of participants with current asthma (12,489 participants), 24% with former asthma (4,892 participants), and 27% who never had asthma (147,742 participants) were considered to be inactive (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, the estimated energy expenditure from leisure-time physical activity was 206 kilocalories (kcal) per week lower among respondents with current asthma than among respondents with former asthma (p < 0.001) and 91 kcal/week lower than respondents who had never had asthma (p < 0.001). About 27% of participants with current asthma, 28% of participants with former asthma, and 28% of participants who had never had asthma were participating in recommended levels of physical activity. Walking was the most frequently reported activity for all three groups (respondents with current asthma, 39%; respondents with former asthma, 39%; and respondents who had never had asthma, 38%. Participants with asthma were less likely to engage in running (p < 0.001), basketball (p = 0.001), golf (p < 0.001), and weightlifting (p = 0.001) but were more likely to use an exercise bicycle (p = 0.035) than were participants without asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Like most US adults, the majority of those with asthma were not meeting the current recommendations for physical activity.
Ford
Earl S
ES
Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. esf2@cdc.gov
Heath
Gregory W
GW
Mannino
David M
DM
Redd
Stephen C
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology