Prevalence of No-Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) Among Adults with and without Arthritis in Kentucky's Area Development Districts (ADD)

BACKGROUND: Persons with arthritis are more likely to report no leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). In 2011, Kentucky had the second highest prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis in the nation (31.9%).  In the same year, about 29% of Kentucky adults reported that they did not participate in any leisure-time physical activity. Kentucky has 120 counties that are divided into 15 Area Development Districts (ADD) for the planning of a variety of programs. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence of no LTPA among adults with and without doctor-diagnosed arthritis in all 15 Kentucky Area Development Districts.

METHODS: We used data from 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for Kentucky (n=10,894). Prevalence of no LTPA was calculated by arthritis status for each ADD. Chi-square tests were used to test for statistical significance. Relative percent differences (disparity gap) in prevalence of no LTPA between adults with and without arthritis were calculated; we also examined the contribution (percent arthritis impact) of adults with arthritis reporting no LTPA on the overall prevalence of no LTPA in each ADD.

RESULTS: Statewide prevalence of no LTPA was significantly higher among adults with arthritis (38.8%, 95% CI: 36.4-41.2) compared to adults without arthritis (24.7%, 95% CI: 22.9-26.4). Similar significant differences were observed in 8 out of 15 ADDs. The disparity gap in prevalence of no LTPA between adults with arthritis and without arthritis was greater than 50% in eight ADDs (range: 54.8% to 104.9%); five of the eight ADDs are located in the southern part of the state. The impact of adults with arthritis reporting no LTPA on the overall prevalence of no LTPA was greater than 40% in 9 of the 15 ADDs.

CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of no leisure-time physical activity among Kentucky adults was impacted by the high prevalence of arthritis in the state. In 8 out of 15 ADDs, adults with arthritis were significantly more likely to report no LTPA compared to adults without arthritis.  District level physical activity programs that target adults with arthritis would help decrease the prevalence of no LTPA among adults in Kentucky; Area Development Districts located in the southern part of the state would be a good place to start focusing such programs.