The Burden of Obesity in North Carolina Physical Inactivity

Physical Activity Recommendations AdultsChildren Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity each day.

Physical Activity Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in an expenditure of energy. Physical activity is any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in an expenditure of energy. Moderate physical activity refers to a level of effort in which a person should experience some increase in breathing or heart rate. Moderate physical activity refers to a level of effort in which a person should experience some increase in breathing or heart rate. Vigorous physical activity refers to a level of effort that may be intense enough to represent a substantial challenge to an individual and a large increase in breathing or heart rate. Vigorous physical activity refers to a level of effort that may be intense enough to represent a substantial challenge to an individual and a large increase in breathing or heart rate.

Physical Education Physical Education is a course taught by a certified physical education teacher, that provides the environment where students learn, practice, and receive assessment on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills and knowledge as defined in the North Carolina Healthful Living Standards Course of Study. (HSP-S-000) Physical Education is a course taught by a certified physical education teacher, that provides the environment where students learn, practice, and receive assessment on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills and knowledge as defined in the North Carolina Healthful Living Standards Course of Study. (HSP-S-000)

Physical Inactivity in Children Less than half (44%) of North Carolina high school students and just over half (55%) of middle school students were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on five or more of the past seven days. Less than half (44%) of North Carolina high school students and just over half (55%) of middle school students were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on five or more of the past seven days. Recommendation: Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes (1 hour) or more of physical activity each day.

N.C. Children and Youth Physical Activity

Physical Inactivity in Children Among children and youth, lack of physical activity is one of the most marked causes of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Among children and youth, lack of physical activity is one of the most marked causes of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Trends in U.S. Schools U.S. Schools requiring physical education: U.S. Schools requiring physical education: 50% in grades % in grades % in grade 8 25% in grade 8 5% in grade 12 5% in grade 12 Overall, 22% of schools did not require students to take any physical education. Overall, 22% of schools did not require students to take any physical education.

The National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) NASPE recommends: Elementary school students Elementary school students At least one 20-minute recess period daily At least one 20-minute recess period daily 150 minutes of physical education weekly 150 minutes of physical education weekly Middle school and high school students Middle school and high school students 225 minutes of physical education weekly 225 minutes of physical education weekly

N.C. Healthy Active Children Policy 30 minutes of physical activity per day in K-8 through: 30 minutes of physical activity per day in K-8 through: Regular physical education class Regular physical education class Recess Recess Dance Dance Classroom energizers Classroom energizers Curriculum-based physical education activity programs Curriculum-based physical education activity programs No withholding recess for punishment or to do extra work No withholding recess for punishment or to do extra work No severe physical activity for punishment No severe physical activity for punishment

Walking to School Nationally, 10% of children walk to school, versus 80% who walked during their parents generation. Nationally, 10% of children walk to school, versus 80% who walked during their parents generation. In 2006, only 5% of N.C. children walked or biked to school. In 2006, only 5% of N.C. children walked or biked to school.

Safe Routes to School Assist communities in developing successful Safe Routes programs and strategies

Distance from School

Walking to School in N.C.

Physical Inactivity in Adults Nearly 40% of N.C. adults get no leisure-time physical activity. Nearly 40% of N.C. adults get no leisure-time physical activity. In 2007, 56% of N.C. adults did not meet the recommendation for physical activity. In 2007, 56% of N.C. adults did not meet the recommendation for physical activity. Recommendation = Moderate physical activity for 30 or more minutes per day, five or more days per week OR vigorous physical activity for 20 or more minutes per day, three or more days per week.

N.C. Adults who did NOT get any Leisure Time Physical Activity by Gender and Age

N.C. Adults who did NOT get any Leisure Time Physical Activity by Education and Income

U.S. Transportation Trends Between , trips made by walking declined by 40%, while driving trips increased to almost 90%. Between , trips made by walking declined by 40%, while driving trips increased to almost 90%. One-in-four trips people make are one mile or less, yet three-fourths of these short trips are made by car. One-in-four trips people make are one mile or less, yet three-fourths of these short trips are made by car.

U.S. Transportation Trends Almost 70% of all children and youths trips were by car. Almost 70% of all children and youths trips were by car. Parents driving their children and youth to school represents between 20 and 30% of peak-hour morning traffic. Parents driving their children and youth to school represents between 20 and 30% of peak-hour morning traffic.

Walkability = quality of the walking conditions In the U.S., 43% percent of people with safe places to walk met recommended activity levels, compared with 27% of those without safe places to walk. In the U.S., 43% percent of people with safe places to walk met recommended activity levels, compared with 27% of those without safe places to walk.

Importance of Walkability People who live in low-density counties: People who live in low-density counties: Walk less Walk less Weigh more Weigh more Are more likely to be obese Are more likely to be obese Are more likely to have hypertension Are more likely to have hypertension than people living in high-density counties.