TIT

Physical Activity Related to Perceived Health Status

Samantha McInerney, BS, Claire Wiley, BS, & Amber Haroldson, PhD, RD
Department of Family and Consumer Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN

ABSTRACT
The purpose of study was to determine if there is a
relationship between the amount of exercise per
week and perceived general health status for male
and female participants in Indiana, USA. This
secondary analysis study used data from the 2011
Behavioral Rick Factor Surveillance System
(BRFSS), which is a telephone survey collect by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The data was analyzed by the WEAT (Web Enabled
by d Analysis Tool) tool on the CDC website using a
cross-tabulation chi-square analysis. Statistical
significance was set at p 0.05. The sample
included Indiana residents between the ages of 1864 years old (n=7,540). For females who exercised
more than 300 minutes per week (n=1,192), 22%
perceived their health status as excellent, compared
to 8.6% of females who exercised 0 minutes a week.
For the males who exercised more than 300 minutes
per week (n=889), 23.6% perceived their health
status as excellent, compared to 8.1% of males who
exercised 0 minutes a week. In conclusion, greater
duration of exercise per week was associated with
better perceived health status.

BACKGROUND
Obesity and poor overall health has been an issue in
many areas of the world for years. Exercise is
becoming less common in the United States, while
watching TV and playing video games is becoming
more common. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular
physical activity is one of the most important things
you can do for your health. There are many
benefits to exercise, including controlling your
weight, reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes,
metabolic syndrome, and some cancers,
strengthening your bones and muscles, improving
your mental health and mood, and increasing your
chances of living longer.1 Studies are also showing
a correlation between exercise and overall health.

AIM
The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a
relationship between the amount of exercise per week
and perceived general health status for male and female
participants in Indiana, USA.

METHODS
Methodology: This secondary analysis study utilized
data collected from The Centers for Disease Control
(CDC) through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System (BRFSS).
BRFSS: The BRFSS is a telephone survey given each
year to United States residents. Health department
employees interview one adult from each household to
obtain the data. The data for this study was collected
using only data from Indiana residents in the year 2011.
Study Sample: The sample consists of Indiana residents
between the ages of 18-64 years, both male (n=2,925)
and female (n=4,615).
Variables: The variables included in this study were
minutes of exercise per week and general health status.
To obtain this data, the survey asked questions such as
what would you say that in general your health is-?.
The possible responses to this question were excellent,
very good, good, fair, or poor. The data about exercise
were collected by asking 8 questions such as During
the past month, other than your regular job, did you
participate in any physical activities or exercises such as
running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for
exercise? and And when you took part in this activity,
for how many minutes or hours did you usually keep at
it?. The possible responses to this question were the
number of hours and minutes, dont know/ not sure, or
refused.
Statistical test: The data was analyzed using the WEAT
(Web Enabled Analysis Tool) tool on the CDC website.
A cross-tabulation chi-square was preformed to test the
correlation between general health status and the
minutes of exercise per week. Statistical significance
will be set at p 0.05.

DISCUSSION

RESULTS
For females who exercised >300 minutes per
week, 22% perceived their health status as
excellent, compared to 8.6% who exercised 0
minutes a week.
For males who exercised >300 minutes per week,
23.6% perceived their health status as excellent,
compared to 8.1 who exercised 0 minutes a week.
Of all males who perceived their health as
excellent, 43.1% participated in >300 minutes of
physical activity per week and 16.5% participated
in 0 minutes of physical activity per week.
Of all females who perceived their health status as
excellent, 38.0% participated in >300 minutes of
physical activity per week and 17.5% participated
in 0 minutes of physical activity per week.
General Health Status percieved by Males
40
35
30
25
20

Percdentage

300 minutes of exercise

0 minutes of exercise

15
10
5
0

Percieved Health Status

Figure 1. Percentage of BRFSS male respondents perceived health

status in relation to amount of exercise.

General Health Status Percieved by Females

40
35
30
25
20

Percentage

300 minutes of exercise

0 minutes of exercise

15
10
5
0

Percieved Health Status

Figure 2. Percentage of BRFSS female respondents perceived health

status in relation to amount of exercise.

The results compare with the findings of other

studies and research that have been reviewed.
Greater duration of exercise per week was
associated with better perceived health status.
The results were as expected.
Strengths
Large sample size
Gender variables
Specifically looking at only Indiana residents

Limitations:
Using only one survey method
Variations of personal health status

CONCLUSIONS
Our study has concluded that the greater
duration of exercise per week was associated
with better-perceived health status. We have
acknowledged the limitations of our study,
however we agree that our results are reliable.
Through conducting this study and reviewing
other research articles/studies, we conclude that
exercise (more beneficially, greater duration)
can improve overall health. We are able to use
this in practice to encourage our own patients to
incorporate exercise into their daily lifestyle.

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