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Scree - March 26, 2011

bridge on a greenway

Fitness in Tennessee

Recently there have been several articles on the State Indicator Report on Physical Activity, 2010 issued by the CDC. The report is not long. The charts are on pages 14 and 15.

For Tennesseans, we find that we are the least physically active state in the United States. Yes, that means we ranked 50th and in not one but two categories.

A quick look for those who do not want to go to the link...

  • Being physically active is to engage in weekly moderate physical activity for a period of no less than 150 minutes.
  • Being highly physically active is to engage in weekly moderate physical activity for a period of not less than 300 minutes.
  • The US average for physically active was 64.5%, with TN at 51.8% (ranked 50th.)
  • The US average for highly physically active was 43.5%, with TN at 29.9% (ranked 50th, and the closest state to our lowly average was 6 points higher!)
  • The US average for no physical activity was 25.4%, with TN at 27.3% (the higher percentage is worse - TN ranked 39th.)

Wow!

So what do we Tennesseans do? Let's get moving. Get out of the car. Walk. Get a dog and walk the dog. Take walking lunch breaks. Ride your bike. Hike. Join a fitness group. Run. Train for a marathon or at least a half marathon. Play. Play some sport. Play with your children. Walk the golf course. Just move.