Climate conditions and physical activity in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the influence season and climate have on physical activity among US adults.


METHODS
Seven weather classifications from 255 weather stations were linked with 355 counties covered by the 2003 BRFSS.


RESULTS
The percentage meeting the recommendations for physical activity ranged from 30.9% in Puerto Rico to 60.9% in Montana and significantly varied across seasons: 44.6% in winter, 46.2% in spring, 48.4% in summer, and 45.8% in fall. Counties in the top 25% meeting the recommendations for physical activity had the highest percentage of days with dry moderate conditions. Counties in the bottom 25% had the highest percentage of days with moist tropical conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Season and climate significantly influence physical activity in the United States.
Merrill
Ray M
RM
Department of Health Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. Ray_Merrill@byu.edu
Shields
Eric C
EC
White
George L
GL
Druce
Denise
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002980:Climate; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D014481:United States