Full Citation
Title: Patterns and Trends in Physical Activity, Occupation, Transportation, Land Use, and Sedentary Behaviors
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2004
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Abstract: Objective. To describe current patterns and long-term trends (up to 50 years when possible) related to: 1) physical activity, 2) employment and occupation, 3) travel behavior, 4) land use, and 5) related behaviors (e.g., obesity, television watching).Methods. Data sets were assembled to provide relevant current data as well as historical data. Under each of the categories of interest (i.e., physical activity, employment and occupation, travel behavior, land use), a primary data set was identified. Up to 50 years worth of trend data were described. For key variables, rates of annual compound change were calculated.Results. Trends according to major type of physical activity follow these patterns based on the available data: leisure-time physical activity: level or slightly increasing; work-related activity: declining; transportation activity: declining; activity in the home: declining; sedentary activity: increasing; TOTAL physical activity: declining. Large differences were noted in the rates of walking for transportation across metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), with more than a two-fold difference between rates in larger MSAs with transit compared with smaller MSAs or non-MSAs. There is a strong linear increase in vehicle miles traveled per person over the past half-century coupled with a strong and consistent trend toward Americans living in suburbs. For youth, there are significant barriers to becoming more active, notably lack of nearby schools and lack of daily physical education in the curriculum.Conclusion. Although it is difficult to precisely quantify due to the lack of long-term data, it is apparent that a combination of changes to the built environment and increases in the proportion of the population engaging in sedentary activities puts the majority of the American population at high risk of physical inactivity.
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Authors: Brownson, Ross C.; Boehmer, Tegan K.
Publisher: Report for the Transportation Research Board
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure
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