Physical Exercise
Date posted: 07/01/2009
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 2007 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 2,997 usable, self-administered questionnaires from Larimer County residents (Health District of Larimer County).
Data from the survey were weighted for age, gender, and geography (north/south county split) using the most current Census estimates. For specific survey questions, see Additional Information.
What this chart shows: Adults Reaching Recommended Moderate and Vigorous Exercise Levels
Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County
What these data tell us:
Overall, 66% of residents surveyed in Larimer County in 2007 met or exceeded the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines recommended by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. This recommended level of activity was accomplished by meeting either the moderate activity level or the vigorous activity level or some combination of the two levels. It is recommended that adults, aged 18-64, participate in moderate-intensity physical activities for at least 150 minutes per week, or should participate in vigorous-intensity physical activities for at least 75 minutes per week, or an equivalent mix of the two. Examples of moderate activity include water aerobics, gardening, and brisk walking, while vigorous activity include running, swimming laps, jumping rope or aerobics.In addition, there was an 11.1% increase in the number of residents meeting the recommended moderate activity guidelines in 2007 over 2004. To view the relationships of exercise to obesity and diabetes, see Additional Information.
What this chart shows: Adults Reaching Recommended Activity Levels by Age Group
Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County
What these data tell us:
Overall, nearly half (49.2%) of respondents in Larimer County, regardless of age, met the recommended moderate activity levels in 2007. That number decreases significantly, however, for the 35 to 44 age group (43.0%). These are the prime child rearing ages, so it is likely that this segment of the population finds itself without adequate time devoted to physical exercise.What this chart shows: Adults Reaching Recommended Activity Levels by Gender
Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County
What these data tell us:
Significantly more men than women met the recommended activity guidelines in 2007, particularly in the vigorous activity category (51.0% vs. 29.7%). In addition, the gap has widened 1.7% since the 2004 survey was administered.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).
- During a typical week, on how many days do you do moderate physical activities? (examples of moderate activity given included walking briskly, golfing, recreational swimming, doubles tennis, bicycling on level terrain, gardening, mowing lawn, 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?
- During a typical week, on how many days do you do vigorous physical activities? (examples of vigorous activity given included race walking/jogging/running, swimming laps, bicycling uphill, and 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 and 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 & Stroke Mortality
- Diabetes
- Overweight and 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
- Shape Up America! - a national initiative to promote healthy weight and increased physical activity
Industry Standards or Targets:
2008 Physical Activities Guidelines for Americans
- For adults, aged 18-64, 150 minutes per week of moderate activity, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity, or a combination of the two.
- Adults should also do moderate or high intensity muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups on 2 or more days per week.
Data Tables:
Adults Reaching Recommended Activity Levels - Larimer County, 2004 & 2007
|
Vigorous Activity |
|||||||
|
2004 |
2007 |
2004 |
2007 |
||||
|
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
|
44.3% |
1,171 |
49.2% |
1,483 |
38.3% |
891 |
40.2% |
1,138 |
Adults Reaching Recommended Activity Levels by Age Group -
Larimer County, 2007
|
Moderate Activity |
Vigorous Activity |
|||
|
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
18 to 34 |
139 |
50.2% |
126 |
42.9% |
|
35 to 44 |
220 |
43.0% |
211 |
40.2% |
|
45 to 64 |
734 |
50.0% |
569 |
40.3% |
|
65+ |
373 |
54.0% |
217 |
30.6% |
Adults Reaching Recommended Activity Levels by Gender - Larimer County, 2007
|
Moderate Activity |
Vigorous Activity |
|||
|
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Male |
682 |
55.0% |
598 |
51.0% |
|
Female |
801 |
43.5% |
540 |
29.7% |