Physical Inactivity Linked to 19 Chronic Conditions, Study Finds
A new study from the University of Iowa has revealed that physical inactivity is linked to an increased risk of 19 different chronic conditions, including depression, obesity, and hypertension. The research, which analyzed electronic medical records from over 40,000 patients, found that inactive patients had nearly twice as many chronic conditions as active patients.
The study’s authors used a simple two-question survey, known as the Exercise Vital Sign (EVS), to assess patients’ physical activity levels during routine medical visits. The survey asked patients how many days per week they engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise and for how many minutes per session. Based on their responses, patients were categorized into three groups: inactive, insufficiently active, or active.
The researchers found that 60% of patients met the recommended guidelines for physical activity, while 36% were insufficiently active and 4% reported no physical activity whatsoever. The data showed that active patients had significantly lower rates of depression, obesity, and hypertension compared to inactive patients. They also had better cardiovascular health markers, including lower resting pulse rates and more favorable cholesterol profiles.
The study’s findings highlight the importance of physical activity in preventing chronic disease and suggest that screening patients for physical inactivity could help identify those at higher risk for developing chronic conditions. The researchers recommend making activity screening as routine as checking blood pressure to help prevent chronic disease development.
The study’s authors also found that insurance companies reimburse exercise counseling claims 95% of the time, suggesting that implementing broader screening and counseling programs could be financially viable for healthcare systems while benefiting patient health.
The research was funded by the UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital and was published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease. The study’s authors declared no professional or financial conflicts of interest.
