BLS SPOTLIGHT ON STATISTICS SPORTS AND EXERCISE

www.bls.gov/spotlight

Sports and Exercise

May 2008

What percentage of people (aged 15 years and older) who live in the United States participated in sports and exercise activities on an average day in recent years? About 16 percent. In comparison, consider that the number of people who watched television on an average day is roughly five times larger. These charts, which display data from the American Time Use Survey, take a closer look at people who spend time in sports and exercise activities.

U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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BLS SPOTLIGHT ON STATISTICS SPORTS AND EXERCISE

www.bls.gov/spotlight

Exercise Statistics All Over the Map
People living in the Pacific, New England, and Mountain regions of the country are more likely to participate in sports or exercise activities than those in other regions. In fact, those living in the Pacific region are about 50 percent more likely to exercise on an average day than are those in the East South Central and West South Central regions.

U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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BLS SPOTLIGHT ON STATISTICS SPORTS AND EXERCISE

www.bls.gov/spotlight

More School, More Play
People with higher levels of education were more likely to participate in sports and exercise. Among people aged 25 years and older, those with a bachelor's degree or higher were more than twice as likely to participate in sports and exercise activities on an average day during the 2003‐06 period as those with a high school diploma or less.
Percent of people aged 25 years and older who engaged in sports and exercise activities on an average day, by educational attainment, 2003-06
Bachelor's degree and higher Some college or associate degree High school graduates, no college Less than a high school diploma
0 5 10 Percent 15 20 25

U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

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BLS SPOTLIGHT ON STATISTICS SPORTS AND EXERCISE

www.bls.gov/spotlight

Walking is Most Popular