Contribution of occupational physical activity toward meeting recommended physical activity guidelines: United States, 2007.

Regular physical activity helps maintain healthy weight and reduces the likelihood of developing chronic diseases. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (1) are derived from the most recent scientific review of physical activity health benefits and do not differentiate among physical activity for leisure, transportation, work, or other purposes. To examine the potential influence of occupational physical activity on meeting minimum weekly aerobic physical activity guidelines, the Washington State Department of Health (WADOH) analyzed demographic patterns in physical activity levels with and without consideration of occupational physical activity using 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. This report describes the results of that analysis, which indicated that, approximately two thirds (64.3%) of U.S. adults met minimum physical activity guidelines through nonoccupational physical activity. When occupational physical activity (defined as reported work activity of mostly walking or heavy labor) was considered, an additional 6.5% of adults likely met the guidelines. The increase was greatest for Hispanic men (14.4%) and men with less than a high school education (15.9%). Public health agencies conducting surveillance of population physical activity levels also should consider including occupational physical activity, which will help to identify demographic groups for targeted programs that increase physical activity.