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QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Who Engaged in Leisure-Time Strengthening Activities,* by Age Group and Sex --- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2008†

Please note: An erratum has been published for this article. To view the erratum, please click here.

The figure shows the percentage of adults aged ≤18 years who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities, by age group and sex, according to the the National Health Interview Survey in 2008. Approximately 27% of adults participated in leisure-time strengthening activities, an important component of overall physical fitness. Among all age groups except those aged 65-74 years, men were more likely than women to engage in leisure-time strengthening activities. The percentage of men who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities decreased with age from 47% at age 18-24 years to 16% at age ≤75 years. The percentage of women who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities decreased with age from 28% at age 18-24 years to 11% at age ≤75 years.

* Based on responses to the following question: "How often do you do leisure-time physical activities specifically designed to strengthen your muscles, such as lifting weights or doing calisthenics?"

† Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population.

§ 95% confidence interval.

In 2008, approximately 27% of adults participated in leisure-time strengthening activities, an important component of overall physical fitness. Among all age groups except those aged 65--74 years, men were more likely than women to engage in leisure-time strengthening activities. The percentage of men who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities decreased with age, from 47% at age 18--24 years to 16% at age ≥75 years. The percentage of women who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities decreased with age, from 28% at age 18--24 years to 11% at age ≥75 years.

SOURCE: Unpublished estimates from the 2008 National Health Interview Survey. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

Alternative Text: The figure above shows the percentage of adults aged ≤18 years who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities, by age group and sex, according to the the National Health Interview Survey in 2008. Approximately 27% of adults participated in leisure-time strengthening activities, an important component of overall physical fitness. Among all age groups except those aged 65-74 years, men were more likely than women to engage in leisure-time strengthening activities. The percentage of men who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities decreased with age from 47% at age 18-24 years to 16% at age ≤75 years. The percentage of women who engaged in leisure-time strengthening activities decreased with age from 28% at age 18-24 years to 11% at age ≤75 years.

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Date last reviewed: 9/3/2009