Walking for transportation or leisure amongst men and women have increased over the past 10 years
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The reported prevalence of transportation or leisure walking among women and men increased from 2005 to 2015, although among men, the increase has stalled in recent years, according to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data of self-reported walking among adults aged 18 or older in a sample of 92,257 United States respondents. Walking was defined as engaging in at least one 10-minute period of transportation or leisure walking in the past 7 days at the time of the survey.
U.S. women steadily increased walking from 57.3% in 2005, to 62.5% in 2010, and to 65.1% in 2015. The increase in walking prevalence among women between 2010 and 2015 was statistically significant overall (2.7 percentage points). The lowest reported age group of women walkers was those aged 65 or older, non-Hispanic blacks, and residents of the South.
Among men, an increase in reported walking was observed from 54.3% in 2005, to 61.8% in 2010, and 62.8% in 2015, although the increase stalled between 2010 and 2015. Men had no significant age group differences in walking prevalence. Walking prevalence increased steadily among male and female college graduates, but leveled off among men with lower education levels.
Step it Up! The Surgeon General’s call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities, identified walking as an important public health strategy to increase physical activity levels. However, only half of U.S. adults report participating in levels of aerobic physical activity consistent with these guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity equivalent aerobic activity per week. Aerobic activity is important because it increases the efficiency of oxygen intake by the body and thereby strengthens the heart and lungs.
Communities can improve walkability and make walking a safe and easy option for increasing physical activity by developing safe street and trails designed to encourage pedestrian activity. It is key to have walking trails and programs that provide quick accessibility from areas where people actually work and live.
According to 2012 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports, Pierce & St. Croix counties had 28.7% of adults aged 20 or older self-report a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30.0 (obese). Furthermore, Pierce & St. Croix counties had 22.4% of adults aged 20 and older self-reported no leisure time for activity, based on the question: “During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercise?” These counties are taking action through the Healthier Together Community Action Plan with a dedicated health priority to decrease the percentage of the population that is overweight or obese by increasing physical activity opportunities. This 2017-2019 health priority focuses on making changes to policy, systems, environment and community support that enable easy access to physical activity in homes, schools and worksites.
Call St. Croix County Public Health at 715-246-8330 if you have any questions or interest in being involved in the Healthier Together-Pierce and St. Croix Counties Community Coalition.
