Agency for Healthcare 

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Research and Quality 

STATISTICAL BRIEF #70 

February 2005 

Exercise in Adults, Age 18 and Older, in 

the United States, 2002: Estimates for 

the Noninstitutionalized Population 

Jeffrey A. Rhoades, PhD 

Introduction 

Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week 

has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of developing or dying 

from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United 

States. A Surgeon General's report on exercise concluded that 

moderate exercise can reduce the risk for heart disease, diabetes, 

colon cancer, and hypertension (U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services, 1996). 

This Statistical Brief presents data from the Household Component 

of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC) concerning 

exercise among the adult, age 18 and older, noninstitutionalized 

(community) population. Estimates are for calendar year 2002. 

Emphasis is placed on the relationships between exercise and age, 

race/ethnicity, sex, income, education level, and health insurance 

status. Only differences that are statistically significant at the 0.05 

level are discussed in the text. 

Findings 

Age 

The age group 18 to 44 was the most likely to exercise. Of those 

individuals age 18 to 44, 59.7 percent reported exercising at least 

three times a week for half an hour or more. This compares with 53.5 

percent and 46.7 percent, respectively, for the age groups 45 to 64 

and 65 and older (figure 1). 

Race/ethnicity 

White non-Hispanic or Latino, single race were the most likely to 

report exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or more 

when compared with all other race/ethnic groups. Exercising at least 

three times a week for half an hour or more was reported by 58.1 

percent of white non-Hispanic or Latino, single race. For Hispanics or 

Latinos, black non-Hispanic or Latino, single race, and other 

races/multiple race, non-Hispanic or Latino the percentages 

reporting exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or 

more were 48.8, 49.2, and 51.6, respectively (figure 2). 

Highlights 

� In 2002, 55.6 percent of 

adults 18 and older reported 

spending half an hour or more 

in moderate or vigorous 

physical activity at least three 

times a week. 

� Among adults 18 and older in 

2002, 59.7 percent of those 

age 18 to 44 were the most 

likely to exercise at least three 

times per week. 

� White non-Hispanic or Latino, 

single race individuals were 

the most likely to report 

exercising at least three times 

per week (58.1 percent) when 

compared with all other 

race/ethnic groups. 

� Males (59.4 percent) were 

more likely to report exercising at least three times per 

week than females (52.1 

percent). 

� Individuals with some college 

were the most likely (61.1 

percent) to report exercising 

at least three times per week. 

� Individuals with the highest 

income (over 400 percent of 

the poverty line) were the 

most likely to report exercising at least three times per 

week (60.6 percent). 

� Individuals with public only 

health insurance were the 

least likely (40.8 percent) to 

report exercising at least 

three times per week. 
Sex 

Males, compared with females, were more likely to report exercising at least three times a week for half 

an hour or more. For males, 59.4 percent reported exercising at least three times a week for half an hour 

or more while 52.1 percent of females reported such (figure 3). 

Education level 

Individuals with some college were the most likely and individuals who did not graduate from high school 

were the least likely to report exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or more. For 

individuals who completed at least some college, 61.1 percent reported exercising at least three times a 

week for half an hour or more. This compares with 47.3 and 53.6 percent, respectively, for individuals 

who did not graduate from high school and did graduate from high school (figure 4). 

Poverty status 

Individuals with high incomes (over 400 percent of the poverty line) were the most likely to report 

exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or more (60.6 percent). Individuals with middle 

incomes (over 200 percent through 400 percent of the poverty line) reported exercising somewhat less 

(55.7 percent). Individuals with lower incomes (less than or equal to the poverty line, over the poverty line 

through 125 percent of the poverty line, and over 125 percent through 200 percent of the poverty line) 

reported exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or more, at 44.5, 46.9, and 51.1 percent, 

respectively (figure 5). 

Health insurance status 

Individuals with public only health insurance were the least likely to report exercising at least three times a 

week for half an hour or more. Of those with public only health insurance, 40.8 percent reported 

exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or more. This compares with 58.5 percent of 

individuals with private health insurance and 54.8 percent of individuals without health insurance reporting 

exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or more (figure 6). 

Data Source 

The numbers shown in this Statistical Brief are drawn from analyses conducted by MEPS staff from the 

following 2002 full-year public use file: HC-070. 

Definitions/Methodology 

Exercise 

Exercise was defined as adults 18 and older spending half an hour or more in moderate or vigorous 

physical activity at least three times a week. 

Age 

The respondent was asked to report the age of each family member as of the date of each interview. In 

this report, age was usually based on the sample person’s age at the end of the reference year. If data 

were not collected at the end of the year because the sample person was out of scope (e.g., deceased or 

institutionalized), then age at the time of the previous interview(s) was used. 

Race/ethnicity 

Classification by race and ethnicity was based on information reported for each family member. 

Respondents were asked if each family member’s race was best described as American Indian, Alaska 

Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, black, white, or other. They also were asked if each family member’s 

main national origin or ancestry was Puerto Rican; Cuban; Mexican, Mexicano, Mexican American, or 

Chicano; other Latin American; or other Spanish. All persons whose main national origin or ancestry was 

reported in one of these Hispanic groups, regardless of racial background, were classified as Hispanic or 

Latino. Since the Hispanic or Latino grouping can include black Hispanic or Latino, white Hispanic or 

Latino, and other Hispanic or Latino, the race categories of black, white, and other do not include 

Hispanic or Latino. Other non-Hispanic or Latino includes American Indian/Alaskan Native non-Hispanic 

or Latino, Asian or Pacific Islander non-Hispanic or Latino and multiple races non-Hispanic or Latino. 
Education level 

Respondents were asked to report the highest grade or year of schooling ever completed by each family 

member as of the date of the interview: not a high school graduate, high school graduate, and some 

college. 

Poverty status 

Each sample person was classified according to the total yearly income of his or her family. Within a 

household, all individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption were considered to be a family. 

Personal income from all family members was summed to create family income. Poverty status is the 

ratio of family income to the Federal poverty thresholds, which control for family size and age of the head 

of family. Categories are defined as follows: 

– Poor: Persons in families with income less than or equal to the poverty line, including those 

who reported negative income 

– Near poor: Persons in families with income over the poverty line through 125 percent of the 

poverty line 

– Low income: Persons in families with income over 125 percent through 200 percent of the 

poverty line 

– Middle income: Persons in families with income over 200 percent through 400 percent of the 

poverty line 

– High income: Persons in families with income over 400 percent of the poverty line 

Health insurance status 

– Private coverage: Private health insurance coverage was defined as non-public insurance 

that provided coverage for hospital and physician care (including Medigap coverage). 

– Public only coverage: People were considered to have public only health insurance coverage 

if they were not covered by private insurance, and they were covered by Medicare, Medicaid, 

TRICARE, or other public hospital and physician coverage. 

– Uninsured: People who did not have insurance coverage at any time during the survey year 

were classified as uninsured. People who were covered only by noncomprehensive Statespecific programs (e.g., Maryland Kidney Disease Program) or private single service plans 

(e.g., coverage for dental or vision care only, coverage for accidents or specific diseases) 

were considered to be uninsured. 

About MEPS-HC 

MEPS-HC is a nationally representative longitudinal survey that collects detailed information on health 

care utilization and expenditures, health insurance, and health status, as well as a wide variety of social, 

demographic, and economic characteristics for the civilian noninstitutionalized population. It is cosponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Center for Health Statistics. 

For more information about MEPS, call the MEPS information coordinator at AHRQ (301-427-1406) or 

visit the MEPS Web site at http://www.meps.ahrq.gov/. 

References 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and 

Health. Atlanta, Ga.: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease 

Prevention and Health Promotion, 1996. 

For more information on what can be done to improve health, see AHRQ’s The Pocket Guide to Good 

Health for Adults, which is available at http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/adguide/. 

For a detailed description of the MEPS-HC survey design, sample design, and methods used to minimize 

sources on nonsampling error, see the following publications: 

Cohen, J. Design and Methods of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. MEPS 

Methodology Report No. 1. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0026. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Health Care Policy and 

Research, 1997. 
Cohen, S. Sample Design of the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component. MEPS 

Methodology Report No. 2. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0027. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Health Care Policy and 

Research, 1997. 

Cohen, S. Design Strategies and Innovations in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Medical Care, 

July 2003: 41(7) Supplement: III-5–III-12. 

Suggested Citation 

Rhoades, J. A. Exercise in Adults, Age 18 and Older, in the United States, 2002: Estimates for the 

Noninstitutionalized Population. Statistical Brief #70. February 2005. Agency for Healthcare Research 

and Quality, Rockville, Md. http://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st70/stat70.pdf
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Figure 1. Percentage exercising at least three times a week 

for half an hour or more, age 18 and older, by age 

53.5 55.6 

59.7 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

All adults Age 18 to 44 Age 45 to 64 Age 65 and older 

for half an hour or more. 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

46.7 

Note: The age group age 18 to 44 was the most likely to report exercising at least three times a week 

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Figure 2. Percentage exercising at least three times a week 

51.6 

58.1 

48.8 49.2 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

race race or Latino 

times a week for half an hour or more. 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

for half an hour or more, age 18 and older, by race/ethnicity 

Hispanic or Latino White non-Hispanic 

or Latino, single 

Black non-Hispanic 

or Latino, single 

Other races/multiple 

race, non-Hispanic 

Note: White non-Hispanic or Latino, single race were the most likely to report exercising at least three 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Figure 3. Percentage exercising at least three times a week 

59.4 

52.1 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

Male Female 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

for half an hour or more, age 18 and older, by sex 

Note: Males were more likely to report exercising at least three times a week for half an hour or more. 

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Figure 4. Percentage exercising at least three times a week 

for half an hour or more, age 18 and older, by education level 

61.1 

47.3 

53.6 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

Not a high school 

graduate 

High school graduate Some college 

for half an hour or more. 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

Note: Individuals with some college were the most likely to report exercising at least three times a week 
Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Figure 5. Percentage exercising at least three times a week 

55.7 

60.6 

44.5 46.9 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

Poor Near poor Low income Middle 

income 

for half an hour or more. 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

for half an hour or more, age 18 and older, by poverty status 

51.1 

High income 

Note: Individuals with higher incomes were more likely to report exercising at least three times a week 

Expenditure Panel Survey, 2002 

Figure 6. Percentage exercising at least three times a week 

54.8 

58.5 

40.8 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

Private health 

insurance 

Public only health 

insurance 

Uninsured 

times a week for half an hour or more. 

Percent 

Source: Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, AHRQ, Household Component of the Medical 

for half an hour or more, age 18 and older, by health insurance status 

Note: Individuals with public only health insurance were the least likely to report exercising at least three