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QuickStats: Prevalence of Selected Unhealthy Behavior-Related Characteristics Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years, by Poverty Status* --- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2005--2007

The figure shows the prevalence of selected unhealthy behavior-related characteristics among adults aged ≥18 years, by poverty status, in the United States, during 2005-2007. U.S. adults in with the lowest family incomes were more likely than adults with the highest family incomes to be current cigarette smokers (28.3% versus 15.1%), to be physically inactive (57.5% versus 27.8%), to be obese (28.8% versus 22.1%), and to sleep 6 hours or less in a 24-hour period (31.7% versus 25.9%). Smoking and physical inactivity showed the steepest declines with increasing family income. In contrast, the percentage of adults who had five or more alcoholic drinks in 1 day in the past year was lowest among adults with family incomes below (17.2%) or near the poverty level (17.3%) and highest among adults in the highest family income group (23.6%).

* Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau poverty thresholds for 2004, 2005, and 2006. Family income was imputed when information was missing, using multiple imputation methodology.

Estimates are age adjusted using the projected 2000 U.S. population as the standard population and three age groups: 18--44 years, 45--64 years, and ≥65 years. Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. adult population. Denominators for each percentage exclude persons with unknown behavior-related characteristics.

§ 95% confidence interval.

The question regarding consumption of five or more drinks in 1 day at least once in the past year was asked only of current drinkers (one or more drinks in preceding year); however, prevalence estimates reflect percentage of all adults who engaged in this behavior.

** Smoked at least 100 cigarettes in lifetime and currently smoked.

†† Never engages in any light, moderate, or vigorous leisure-time physical activity.

§§ Defined as a body mass index (weight [kg] / height [m2]) of ≥30.

¶¶ Usual number of hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.

U.S. adults with the lowest family incomes were more likely than adults with the highest family incomes to be current cigarette smokers (28.3% versus 15.1%), to be physically inactive (57.5% versus 27.8%), to be obese (28.8% versus 22.1%), and to sleep ≤6 hours in a 24-hour period (31.7% versus 25.9%). Smoking and physical inactivity showed the steepest declines with increasing income. In contrast, the percentage of adults who had five or more alcoholic drinks in 1 day in the past year was lowest among adults with family incomes below (17.2%) or near the poverty level (17.3%) and highest among adults in the highest family income group (23.6%).

Source: Schoenborn CA, Adams PF. Health behaviors of adults: United States 2005--2007. Vital Health Stat 2010;10(245).

Alternate Text: The figure above shows the prevalence of selected unhealthy behavior-related characteristics among adults aged ≥18 years, by poverty status, in the United States, during 2005-2007. U.S. adults in with the lowest family incomes were more likely than adults with the highest family incomes to be current cigarette smokers (28.3% versus 15.1%), to be physically inactive (57.5% versus 27.8%), to be obese (28.8% versus 22.1%), and to sleep 6 hours or less in a 24-hour period (31.7% versus 25.9%). Smoking and physical inactivity showed the steepest declines with increasing family income. In contrast, the percentage of adults who had five or more alcoholic drinks in 1 day in the past year was lowest among adults with family incomes below (17.2%) or near the poverty level (17.3%) and highest among adults in the highest family income group (23.6%).



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