Physical inactivity and overweight among Los Angeles County adults Original Research Article

Objectives The present study examines sociodemographic, health status, health behavioral, and health-related self-perception correlates of physical inactivity in a large, multiethnic urban population. Methods A random-digit-dialed telephone survey of a representative sample of 8353 Los Angeles County adults aged ≥18 years was conducted between September 17, 1999 and December 31, 2000. Data were analyzed to assess the prevalence and identify independent correlates of physical inactivity, defined as <10 minutes of continuous physical activity weekly (“sedentary”). Results Overall, the prevalence of sedentary adults was 41%. Lower educational attainment, female gender, advancing age, non–U.S. birthplace, poorer self-perceived health status, self-perceived depression, smoking, leisure-time television watching/computer use, and receiving a diabetes diagnosis were significantly related to sedentariness in both bivariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions Mental and physical health status were prominent correlates of sedentariness. Lower socioeconomic class was also associated with sedentary behavior. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between self-perceived overweight and sedentary behavior.