Adults in the Washington area, with the exception of those in Prince George’s County, are more active than the average American, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Montgomery County is the most active in the area with only 17.7 percent of adults 20 and older reportedly inactive. By comparison, Prince George’s County is the most inactive local county with 25.5 percent of adults guilty of couch-potato syndrome.
The CDC estimated in its new report that 25.4 percent of U.S. adults failed to spend any free time walking, gardening, golfing, running or other physical activities in 2008. The estimates come from the center’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which is an ongoing, random-digit dialed, adult telephone survey.
“You’ve got the mall, you’ve got Beach Drive, you’ve got bicycle paths and hiking trails and so much green space in D.C. and the surrounding counties,” said Skip Coburn, president of the Potomac River Volksmarching club. “They have the walking clubs, the marathon training groups. There’s just no end stuff [to do].”
About 20 percent of residents in Prince William County and the District are estimated to be inactive. The study found lower inactivity rates in Arlington County (18.2 percent), Alexandria (18.6 percent), and Fairfax County (18.9 percent). Loudoun County was a bit higher with 20.4 percent inactive.
The most-active U.S. residents are in Boulder, Colo., with only 10.5 percent inactive, while the most inactive county was Carter County, Ky., where almost half of residents — 42.8 percent — do no physical activity, the CDC report said.
“Physical activity is crucial to managing diabetes and reducing serious complications of the disease,” said Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “Moderate intensity activities such as dancing or brisk walking, for just 150 minutes a week, can significantly improve the health of people with diabetes or at high risk for the disease.”
CDC is working on ways to increase physical activity, reduce obesity, and prevent type 2 diabetes and other health problems across the nation.
“We need changes in communities that make it safe and easy to be active. Sidewalks, street lights, and access to parks or recreation areas can encourage people to get out and move more,” said Janet E. Fulton of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity.
