title: Physical activity patterns among U.S. adults with and without serious psychological distress.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A physically active lifestyle is recommended for overall health--both physical and mental. Serious psychological distress (SPD) is associated with adverse health behaviors. We compared patterns of physical activity (PA) among adults with and without SPD using current public health guidelines for PA and examined whether adults with SPD were physically active at recommended levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to assess SPD using the Kessler 6 (K6) scale of nonspecific psychological distress and PA categories based on the 2008 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. Complete data were available for 78,886 adults in 16 states that used an optional BRFSS mental illness and stigma module containing the K6 scale. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The unadjusted prevalence of SPD was 3.9% (95% CI 3.6, 4.2), and the age-adjusted prevalence of SPD was 3.8% (95% CI 3.5, 4.1). After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, employment, body mass index, smoking status, and heavy drinking, adults with SPD were significantly less likely to be physically active at recommended levels than adults without SPD. PRs were attenuated but remained significant after further adjustment for limitations to PA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adults with SPD are less likely to meet current PA recommendations than adults without SPD, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Public Health Surveillance & Informatics Program Office, Division of Behavioral Surveillance, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Okoro
authors.affiliation: Walden University, College of Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Georjean
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stoodt
authors.affiliation: Walden University, College of Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rohrer
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Tara W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Strine
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Public Health Surveillance & Informatics Program Office, Division of Behavioral Surveillance, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Chaoyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Public Health Surveillance & Informatics Program Office, Division of Behavioral Surveillance, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Lina S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Balluz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult