Understanding the Data
Why Physical Activity is Important
Engaging in regular physical activity offers many health benefits, including the following.
- Reduced risk of Chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc.), depression and anxiety, and falls and other injuries;
- Improved sleep quality and brain health; and
- Increased life expectancy.
To learn more about RIDOH’s physical activity program, please visit health.ri.gov/heal.
Additional resources:
- The Benefits of Physical Activity: Physical Activity Basics US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans US Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPH)
- Move Your Way ODPH
Rhode Island Numbers
Physical Activity in Adults
The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults get:
- At least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity; and
- At least 2 days a week of muscle-strengthening activity.
Physical Activity in Rhode Island Adults Compared to the National Average (2011-2023)
The following data, collected every two to three years from 2011 to 2023, show the percentage of Rhode Island adults who reported meeting aerobic and muscle strengthening guidelines, at the time of reporting.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. Data, Trend and Maps.
What the Data Show
- From 2011 to 2023, Rhode Island adults most often reported meeting physical activity guidelines at percentages consistent with the national average.
- From 2011 to 2023, the percentage of Rhode Island adults who reported meeting physical activity guidelines increased from 19.5% to 29.9%.
Physical Activity in Rhode Island Adults Across Demographics (2024)
Physical activity was defined as participating in any physical activity or exercise outside of work.
Source: State of Rhode Island, Department of Health. Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2024. Rhode Island Department of Health. *In 2024, the FPL annual income = $15,060 for 1 person and $31,200 for a family of 4. **Non-Hispanic Other includes adults who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Multiracial.
What the Data Show
- Rhode Island adults who reported participating in physical activity were more likely to be male, Non-Hispanic Other or Non-Hispanic White, aged 18-29, graduated college, or lived at or above 400% of the federal poverty level.
Health Indicators Among Rhode Island Adults by Physical Activity Status (2024)
Physical activity was defined as participating in any physical activity or exercise outside of work.
| Health Indicators | % Physically inactive | 95% CI | % Physically Active | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health | 34.4 | 30.9-38.0 | 12.2 | 10.7-13.7 |
| Frequent physical distressa | 24.3 | 21.3-27.4 | 9.8 | 8.4-11.1 |
| Loneliness | 39.3 | 35.2-43.4 | 30.0 | 27.9-32.1 |
| Depression | 27.2 | 24.1-30.3 | 24.2 | 22.4-26.0 |
| BMI greater than or equal to 30b | 43.3 | 39.3-47.2 | 27.7 | 25.8-29.7 |
| Diabetes | 21.0 | 18.1-23.9 | 8.7 | 7.6-9.8 |
| Cardiovascular disease | 15.4 | 12.8-18.1 | 7.7 | 6.7-8.8 |
| At least one chronic conditionc | 61.0 | 57.1-64.9 | 45.1 | 43.0-47.1 |
| Multiple chronic conditionsd | 35.6 | 32.1-39.1 | 19.6 | 18.1-21.1 |
CI = confidence interval
a Reported 14 days or more in the last 30 days when physical health was not good
b BMI: Body Mass Index
c Includes angina or heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
d Includes asthma, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression, diabetes, or kidney disease
Source: State of Rhode Island, Department of Health. Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2024. Rhode Island Department of Health.
What the Data Shows
- Adults who reported physical activity were significantly less likely to experience fair or poor health, frequent physical distress, loneliness, and depression when compared to physically inactive adults.
- Those who participated in physical activity were also less likely to experience obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and at least one or multiple chronic conditions.
Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents get:
- At least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity each day. Activities can include walking, running, biking, or anything that gets their heart beating faster.
- Muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activities at least 3 days a week.
The following data represent self-reported physical activity among Rhode Island middle and high school students on all 7 days prior to reporting. Physical activity was defined as engaging in any kind of activity lasting at least 60 minutes per day that increased heart rate and made breathing heavy.
Source: State of Rhode Island, Department of Health. Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019-2023. Rhode Island Department of Health. *Non-Hispanic Other includes middle school students who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Multiracial.
What the Data Show
- From 2019 to 2023, the statewide percentage of middle schoolers reporting at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day decreased from 24.4% to 23.8%.
- From 2019 to 2023, physical activity among middle schoolers varied by race and ethnicity.
- Non-Hispanic White students reported higher percentages of physical activity than the statewide average every year from 2019 to 2023, whereas Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino students consistently reported lower percentages.
- Non-Hispanic Other students reported a lower percentage in 2019, but higher percentages in 2021 and 2023.
Source: State of Rhode Island, Department of Health. Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019-2023. Rhode Island Department of Health. *Non-Hispanic Other includes high school students who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Multiracial.
What the Data Show
- From 2019 to 2023, the statewide percentage of high schoolers reporting at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day remained at approximately 21%.
- From 2019 to 2023, physical activity in high school students varied by race and ethnicity.
- Non-Hispanic White students reported higher percentages of physical activity than the statewide average each year, whereas Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino students reported lower percentages.
- Non-Hispanic Other students reported percentages higher than the statewide average for 2019 and 2023, but lower in 2021.
Perceptions of Neighborhood Safety
The following data show perceived neighborhood safety among high school students. Everyone, including children and adolescents, needs safe and accessible places to engage in physical activity. However, perceptions of crime and traffic danger can deter residents from using local areas for exercise. A lack of public infrastructure and outdoor spaces, like parks and bike paths, creates additional barriers to physical activity across all age groups.
Source: State of Rhode Island, Department of Health. Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019-2023. Rhode Island Department of Health. *Non-Hispanic Other includes high school students who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or Multiracial.
What the Data Show
- From 2019-2023, approximately 1 in 6 high school students reported feeling unsafe in their neighborhood.
- Non-Hispanic White students consistently reported feeling safer in their neighborhoods than other groups.
- Each year, the percentage of Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latino students who reported feeling unsafe was higher than the statewide average.