Chapter 3 Risk Factor

Physical Inactivity

Physical inactivity leads to a higher risk for the development of diabetes. The NPHS estimates energy expenditure during leisure time. Individuals who expended 1.5 kilocalories/kg or less every day were classified as physically inactive.

In the general population, more women than men reported inactivity in 1998/99 (Figure 3-4). The proportions of men and women who were physically inactive decreased between 1994/95 and 1998/99.

Of those individuals with self-reported diabetes, women were more likely than men to be physically inactive (Figure 3-5).

The difference, however, was not statistically significant.

Overall in 1998/99, 55.4% of the general population reported that they were physically inactive. Individuals with self-reported diabetes were more likely to be inactive (65.1%).

Among men and women in the general population, physical inactivity appeared to increase with age. The difference, however, was not statistically significant (Figure 3-6). This tendency is similar to that of previous years.

---

[Previous] [Table of Contents] [Next]