Prevalence of physical activity among South Carolina adults.

Participating in regular PA is associated with many health benefits. Overall, the prevalence of inactivity in South Carolina (33 percent) is among the highest in the Southeast and in the US as a nation. While few gender differences exist between the proportion of adults who report participation in sufficient PA (females 21 percent and males 23 percent), racial and age differences are apparent with ethnic minorities and older adults as the least active. The most popular PA among all adults is walking. Physicians can play a key role, through counseling, to help increase the prevalence of regular PA among those who are currently obtaining insufficient amounts of activity to derive optimal health benefits.