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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of older adults with physical or cognitive health problems who get physical activity — OA‑01 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology  |  History

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Baseline: 41.3 percent of adults aged 65 years and over with reduced physical or cognitive function engaged in light, moderate, or vigorous leisure-time physical activities in 2018

Target: 51.0 percent

Numerator
Number of adults aged 65 years and over with reduced physical or cognitive function who engage in light, moderate, or vigorous leisure-time physical activities.
Denominator
Number of adults aged 65 years and over with reduced physical or cognitive function.
Target-setting method
Projection
Target-setting method details
Linear trend fitted using weighted least squares and a projection at the 50 percent prediction interval.
1
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were evaluated for this objective. Using historical data points, a trend line was fitted using weighted least squares, and the trend was projected into the next decade. This method was used because three or more comparable data points were available, the projected value was within the range of possible values, and a projection at the 50 percent prediction interval was selected because no additional information could be used to assess the trend line, so the target was based on the projection.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the National Health Interview Survey:

Numerator:
How often do you do VIGOROUS LEISURE-TIME physical activities for AT LEAST 10 MINUTES that cause HEAVY sweating or LARGE increases in breathing or heart rate?
  1. Never
  2. Unable to do this type activity
  3. _____ times per day/week/month/year
  4. Refused
  5. Not ascertained
  6. Don't know
About how long do you do these vigorous leisure-time physical activities each time? _____ minutes/hours How often do you do LIGHT OR MODERATE LEISURE-TIME physical activities for AT LEAST 10 MINUTES that cause ONLY LIGHT sweating or a SLIGHT to MODERATE increase in breathing or heart rate?
  1. Never
  2. Unable to do this type activity
  3. ____ times per day/week/month/year
{Are/Is} [* Read names below] limited in the kind or amount of play activities {he/she/they} can do because of a physical, mental, or emotional problem?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
Do any of the following family members, [* Read names below] receive Special Educational or Early Intervention Services?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
Because of a physical, mental, or emotional problem, {do you/does anyone in the family} need the help of other persons with PERSONAL CARE NEEDS, such as eating, bathing, dressing, or getting around inside this home?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
Because of a physical, mental, or emotional problem, do {you/any of these family members} [* Read names below] need the help of other persons in handling ROUTINE NEEDS, such as everyday household chores, doing necessary business, shopping, or getting around for other purposes?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
Does a physical, mental, or emotional problem NOW keep {you/any of these family members} from working at a job or business?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
{Are you limited in the kind OR amount of work you/Are any of these family members limited in the kind OR amount of work they} can do because of a physical, mental or emotional problem?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
Because of a health problem, {do you/does anyone in the family} have difficulty walking without using any special equipment?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
{Are you/Is anyone in the family} LIMITED IN ANY WAY because of difficulty remembering or because {you/they} experience periods of confusion?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Not ascertained
  5. Don't know
Are {you/any family members} LIMITED IN ANY WAY in any activities because of physical, mental or emotional problems?
  1. Limitation previously mentioned
  2. Yes, limited in some other way
  3. Not limited in any way
  4. Refused
  5. Not ascertained
  6. Don't know

Methodology notes

Physical activity for those with reduced physical or cognitive function is defined as at least 10 minutes per week of any light, moderate, or vigorous activity.

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Retained, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 with no change in measurement.

1. Because Healthy People 2030 objectives have a desired direction (e.g., increase or decrease), the confidence level of a one-sided prediction interval can be used as an indication of how likely a target will be to achieve based on the historical data and fitted trend.