title: Physical activity levels among overweight and obese adults in South Carolina.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the activity levels of South Carolina adults on the basis of data derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overweight and obese men and women reported less leisure time physical activity than did people of normal weight, with women found to be less active than men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical inactivity is more prevalent among obese and overweight men and women than among people of normal weight. Visiting the physician's office offers a unique opportunity to educate patients about the health benefits and appropriate amount of physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. swann.adams@palmettohealth.org
authors.forename: Swann A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Der Ananian
authors.forename: Katrina D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: DuBose
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kirtland
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ainsworth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011998:Recreation / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013022:South Carolina