MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Prevalence of Adult Physical Activity – United States, 2001 and 2005

PRESS CONTACT: CDC
Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Studies show that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic disease. The good news is that American adults are increasing in regular physical activity. However, about half of adults do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity and racial/ethnic and educational disparities in activity continue to persist. More effort is needed to increase physical activities for all adults and to reduce disparities. The prevalence of engaging in recommended levels of physical activity in 2001 and 2005 were examined by sex, race/ethnicity, education, and age for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. The findings show that the prevalence of regular physical activity increased among both men and women from 2001 to 2005 (men increased from 48.0 percent to 49.7 percent. Women increased from 43.0 percent to 46.7 percent), with the largest increases occurring among non–Hispanic black women and men. In 2005, almost 50 percent of men and 47 percent of women engaged in regular physical activity. CDC recommends continued efforts to develop and/or strengthen evidence–based, culturally appropriate initiatives to further increase physical activity among American adults. Regular physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, certain cancers, and premature mortality.

Norovirus Outbreak Associated with Ill Food Service Workers – Michigan, January–February 2006

PRESS CONTACT: Brenda Brennan
Michigan Department of Community Health
Communicable Disease Division
(517) 335-8165

Ongoing education of food–service workers regarding prevention of norovirus contamination and transmission, enforcement of policies for workplace exclusion and restriction of ill and recently ill food–service workers, and widespread environmental decontamination with effective disinfectants such as bleach are crucial to interrupt the transmission of norovirus. The Barry–Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) in Michigan was notified of gastrointestinal illness in several patrons after a meal at a high–volume national chain restaurant. An investigation was initiated to determine the scope of illness among patrons and employees. Findings in the investigation revealed restaurant employees who had worked while ill or recently ill, and the use of sanitizers in cleaning that were ineffective against norovirus. Norovirus can be transmitted person–to–person (via the fecal–oral route) and spread widely through contaminated airborne droplets (via a public vomiting incident), food, water, environmental surfaces, and fomites. Norovirus particles persist in the environment and are resistant to inactivation by such cleaning agents as quaternary ammonium–based sanitizers. Norovirus genogroup GI, confirmed in this outbreak, was identified in only 3% of Michigan′s 144 outbreaks reported in 2006.