Physical Exercise
Date posted: 07/03/2005
Quick Data Links
The following page displays data gathered from a sample of Larimer County residents, through the Health District of Northern Larimer County Community Health Survey. The 2004 Survey measured the health status of the community and the accessibility and quality of health care received. The data from the survey are based on 2,806 usable, self-administered questionnaires from Larimer County residents (Health District of Larimer County). For specific survey questions, see Additional Information.
In 2003, 54.5% of all Colorado residents met the recommended physical activity levels suggested by the Centers for Disease Control. It is recommended that adults participate in moderate-intensity physical activities for at least 30 minutes for 5 or more days of the week, and/or should participate in vigorous-intensity physical activities for at least 20 minutes for 3 or more days a week (see Healthy People 2010 objectives below). Examples of moderate activity can include bicycling and brisk walking, while vigorous activity can include running or aerobics.
What this chart shows: Adults Reaching Moderate and Vigorous Exercise Targets
Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County
- 2001 Community Health Survey
- 2004 Community Health Survey
What these data tell us:
In 2004, 42.3% of Larimer County survey respondents exceeded the target set by Healthy People 2010. They recommend that at least 30% of the population exercise at a moderate level, at least 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day. Over 50% of respondents met the target recommending that at least 30% of the population exercise at a vigorous level, at least 3 days a week, 20 minutes a day. To view the relationships of exercise to obesity and diabetes, see Additional Information.What this chart shows: Adults Reaching Exercise Targets by Gender
Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County
- 2001 Community Health Survey
- 2004 Community Health Survey
What this chart shows: Adults Reaching Exercise Targets by Age Group
Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County
- 2001 Community Health Survey
- 2004 Community Health Survey
What these data tell us:
The percentages of respondents who met the moderate and vigorous activity recommendations exceeded the Healthy People 2010 goal of 30% for both genders and all age groups. Of the six groups represented (for age and gender), the highest percentages of those participating in adequate vigorous activity were males, and respondents 18 to 34 years old. Percentages of respondents among age groups meeting adequate targets for moderate exercise were similar.Males engaged in vigorous exercise more often than females. Between genders, a greater percentage of males exceeded the targets than females.
Health District of Northern Larimer County Community Health Survey:
Survey questions used for this page -
- Physical activity is defined as movement that increases your heart rate and breathing above your resting rate, whether you do it for pleasure, work, or transportation. Depending on the energy you use, physical activity can be light, moderate, or vigorous (only moderate and vigorous were investigated for this data page)
- How many days during a typical week do you do any moderate physical activities? (examples of moderate activity given included walking briskly, golf, recreational swimming, tennis, bicycling on level terrain, and custodial work)
- On those days when you do moderate physical activities, on average, how much total time per day do you spend doing these activities?
- How many days during a typical week do you do any vigorous activities? (examples of vigorous activity given included race walking/jogging/running, swimming laps, mowing the lawn, bicycling uphill, construction work)
- On those days when you do vigorous physical activities, on average, how much total time per day do you spend doing these activities?
Exercising helps to maintain a person's healthy body weight. For this same sample of respondents, the amount of moderate exercise in which respondents participated was directly correlated to the weight category to which they belonged: the higher the person's weight category, the less he or she tended to exercise (see Overweight/Obesity). Exercise can also help to deter or postpone diseases such as diabetes. According to the Health District's Community Survey, those respondents who had been diagnosed with diabetes exercised, on average, less than those who had not been diagnosed (see Diabetes).
On Compass-
- Adult Alcohol Use
- Adult Tobacco Use
- Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Mortality
- Diabetes
- Overweight/Obesity
Outside Compass-
- Centers for Disease Control - Nutrition and Physical Activity
- HealthierUS.gov - a government website that reports on physical fitness, nutrition, and preventative screening
- National Association for Health and Fitness
- National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)
- Shape Up America! - a national initiative to promote healthy weight and increased physical activity
Industry Standards or Targets:
- Target 22-02: Increase the proportion of adults who engage regularly, preferably daily, in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day.
- Target 22-03: Increase the proportion of adults who engage in vigorous physical activity that promotes the development and maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness 3 or more days per week for 20 or more minutes per occasion.
Data Tables:
Adults Reaching Exercise Targets - Larimer County, 2001 & 2004
|
Vigorous Activity |
|||||
|
Target* |
2001 |
2001 |
Target* |
2004 |
2004 |
|
30.0% |
39.4% |
42.3% |
30.0% |
45.9% |
51.8% |
Adults Reaching Exercise Targets by Gender - Larimer County, 2004
|
Moderate Activity |
Vigorous Activity |
|||
|
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Target* |
30.0% |
30.0% |
||
|
Male |
469 |
49.4% |
480 |
54.9% |
|
Female |
312 |
34.9% |
272 |
47.0% |
Adults Reaching Exercise Targets* by Age Group - Larimer County, 2004
|
Moderate Activity |
Vigorous Activity |
|||
|
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
18 to 34 |
343 |
44.9% |
364 |
54.7% |
|
35 to 44 |
142 |
38.3% |
153 |
46.5% |
|
45 to 64 |
205 |
40.5% |
200 |
54.5% |
|
65+ |
82 |
43.2% |
28 |
33.3% |