A Preliminary analysis of medical expenditures among active and sedentary US adults with mental disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether leisure-time physical activity is associated with lower direct annual medical expenditures among a sample of adults with mental disorders.


METHODS
Using the 1995 National Health Interview Survey and 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, differences between medical expenditures for sedentary and active persons were analyzed using t-tests.


RESULTS
The per capita annual direct medical expenditure was US 2785 dollars higher for sedentary than for active persons (P<0.05). The total expenditure associated with sedentary behavior was US 31.7 billion dollars (US 19.1 billion dollars in men; US 12.6 billion dollars in women).


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity is associated with a reduced economic burden among people with mental disorders.
Brown
David R
DR
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Physical Activity and Health Branch, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724, USA. DBrown@cdc.gov
Wang
Guijing
G
Safran
Marc A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States