Differences in Awareness of Physical Activity Guidelines Among Americans

• Activity Number: 288 - Contributed Poster Presentations: Health Policy Statistics Section
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 9, 2022 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Health Policy Statistics Section
• Author(s): Rose Calixte* and Sumaiya Islam and Zainab Toteh Osakwe and Joan Dorn
• Companies: SUNY Downstate School of Public Health and CUNY School of Medicine and Adelphi University and University at Buffalo
• Keywords: Physical Activities Guidelines

Abstract

Insufficient physical activity is a known risk factors for major chronic illnesses. The physical activity guidelines (PAG) provide recommendations to health professionals on how individuals can improve their health. However, little is known about the public’s awareness of the current guidelines. We assessed sociodemographic differences in awareness of PAG in non-institutionalized US adults using the Health Information National Trends Survey using a multivariable Poisson regression model with jackknife replicated weights. Overall, 47% of respondents were aware of PAG from any one of the four sources (CI = 0.45, 0.49). Women had higher prevalence ratio of PAG awareness (PR = 1.16, CI = [1.05, 1.27]) compared to men. Black, Hispanics, and Asians had higher prevalence ratio (PR = 1.34, CI = [1.16, 1.55], PR = 1.38 CI = [1.22, 1.57], and PR = 1.34, CI = [1.09, 1.76]) compared to Whites. However, respondents without regular providers had lower prevalence ratio (PR = 0.80, CI = [0.70, 0.91]) compared to those with regular providers. Americans without regular healthcare providers represent an important group for tailored communication about PAG.