Physical Activity in U.S. Adults
Abstract
Background To date, no study has objectively measured physical activity levels among U.S. adults according to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAGA).Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess self-reported and objectively measured physical activity among U.S. adults according to the PAGA.Methods Using data from the NHANES 2005-2006, the PAGA were assessed using three physical activity calculations: moderate plus vigorous physical activity ≥150 minutes/week (MVPA); moderate plus two instances of vigorous physical activity ≥150 minutes/week (M2VPA); and time spent above 3 METs ≥500 MET-minutes/week (METPA). Self-reported physical activity included leisure, transportation, and household activities. Objective activity was measured using Actigraph accelerometers that were worn for 7 consecutive days. Analyses were conducted in 2009-2010.Results U.S. adults reported 324.5 ± 18.6 minutes/week (M ± SE) of moderate physical activity and 73.6 ± 3.9 minutes/week of vigorous physical activity, although accelerometry estimates were 45.1 ± 4.6 minutes/week of moderate physical activity and 18.6 ± 6.6 minutes/week of vigorous physical activity. The proportion of adults meeting the PAGA according to M2VPA was 62.0% for self-report and 9.6% for accelerometry.Conclusions According to the NHANES 2005-2006, fewer than 10% of U.S. adults met the PAGA according to accelerometry. However, physical activity estimates vary substantially depending on whether self-reported or measured via accelerometer.
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One-quarter of the UK population are failing to achieve even 30 min of moderate activity per week and 90% of the American population do not achieve physical activity recommendations.
“However, one-quarter of the UK population are failing to achieve even 30 min of moderate activity per week and 90% of the American population do not achieve PA recommendations.15”
From Reduced physical activity in young and older adults: Metabolic and musculoskeletal implications (2019) · cites this paper as [15]
Less than 10% of Americans meet current exercise recommendations.
“Even in the general population, less than 10% of Americans meet current exercise recommendations.”
From The Impact of Physical Activity in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
Physical activity levels for the large majority of Latinos are below U.S. national guidelines and lower compared to non-Latino whites.
“However, PA levels for the large majority of Latinos are below U.S. national guidelines [2–8] and lower compared to non-Latino whites [5–8].”
From Pasos Hacia La Salud: a randomized controlled trial of an internet-delivered physical activity intervention for Latinas (2016) · cites this paper as [3]
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- Authors
- Tucker, J. M., Welk, G. J., & Beyler, N. K.
- Affiliations
- North Dakota State University (US)
- Iowa State University (US)
- Mathematica Policy Research (US)
- Corresponding author
- Tucker, Jared M.
- Venue
- American Journal of Preventive Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-04
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 454-461
- ISSN
- 0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1547422201
- Cited by
- 977
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 64 · 2020: 69 · 2019: 133 · 2018: 74 · 2017: 106 · 2016: 77 · 2015: 86 · 2014: 85 · 2013: 62 · 2012: 33
- FWCI
- 41.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Context-Aware Activity Recognition Systems
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Keywords
- physical activity, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, self-reported physical activity, accelerometer-measured activity, physical activity guidelines adherence, NHANES, adults, MET-minutes, leisure-time physical activity
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Data Collection, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, United States, Exercise, Guidelines as Topic, Guideline Adherence, Young Adult, Actigraphy
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