Boomers and Physical Fitness An AARP Bulletin Survey Report Prepared by Matrika Chapagain, Ph.D. February 2014
Boomers and Physical Fitness An AARP Bulletin Survey Report Prepared by Matrika Chapagain, Ph.D. Copyright c 2014 AARP 601 E Street NW Washington, DC 20049 http://www.aarp.org/research/ Reprinting with Permission https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00081.001 2
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org. The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP. Acknowledgements This research work was done for the AARP Bulletin. The author would like to thank Barbranda Walls for her ideas and request for this information, and Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) for collecting the data. Additional thanks go to Patty David for her review of this report and to James Smoot for proofreading. For additional information, contact Matrika Chapagain at (202) 434-6353 3
Table of Contents Contents Page Executive Summary 5 Detailed Findings 7 Research Methods Overview 14 APPENDIX: Annotated Questionnaire 16 4
Executive Summary 5
Executive Summary Aimed at exploring American Boomers perceptions and behavior around physical health and fitness, this survey was conducted via telephone by, on behalf of the AARP Bulletin, in January 2014, among a national representative sample of 760 individuals ages 49-67 years old. Key Findings Over four-in-ten (43%) Boomers rate their physical health excellent (12%) or very good (31%). But, three-in-ten (29%) rate it fair (21%) or poor (9%). Boomers with a household (HH) income of $50K or more are more likely than those with a HH income of less than $50K (61-65% vs. 19-32%), and Boomers who are College Graduates are more likely than those who have not completed the College Graduate level (62% vs. 32-40%) to rate their physical health excellent or very good. About one-in-six (16%) Boomers are currently a member of a health, fitness, or exercise club. Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ are more likely than those with a HH income of less than $50K (31% vs. 3-9%), and Boomers who are College Graduates are more likely than those with High-school or lower levels (30% vs. 8%) to report being a member of a health, fitness or exercise club. Use of personal fitness mobile apps is infrequent among Boomers - only 7% reported using a personal fitness mobile app over the past five years. Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ are somewhat more likely than those with a HH income less than $25K to use personal fitness mobile apps (13% vs. 4%). Two-thirds (67%) of Boomers say physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today, with 18% saying it is one of the most important priorities and 49% saying it is a priority but not among the most important priorities they have today. Eight-in-ten (80%) Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ say physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today, compared to less than six-in-ten Boomers with a HH income of less than $50K (57-58%). Boomers report various reasons why physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today. It keeps me mobile, not dependent on others tops the list of the reasons, reported by half (48%) of Boomers who say physical fitness exercise is a priority, followed by I enjoy it/it s fun (30%), I have always had this as a priority (26%), Doctor recommended it as a must (26%), and It makes me feel younger (25%). While asking the reasons to those who said physical fitness exercise is not a priority for them today, the highest proportion reported I don t have time (30%), followed by I am disabled/physically impaired (22%), I have chronic illness/i am sick (21%), I have other more important priorities (20%), and I don t like to do exercise/no interest (17%). 6
Detailed Findings 7
Physical Health Over four-in-ten (43%) Boomers rate their physical health excellent or very good, and over a quarter (27%) rate it good. But, threein-ten (29%) rate their physical health fair or poor. Boomers annual household (HH) income and education show some variations in rating their physical health. - Boomers with a HH income of $50K or more are more likely than those with a HH income of less than 50K to rate their physical health excellent or very good (61-65% vs. 19-32%). - Boomers with college graduate or higher level of education are more likely than those with some college (not graduate) or lower level of education to rate their physical health excellent or very good (62% vs. 32-40%). Total Boomers Age 49-59 60-67 Gender Male Female HH income Under $25K $25K-$49.9K $50K-$74.9K $75K+ Education HS Graduate or less Some college 12% 13% 11% 11% 13% 5% 13% 24% 7% 25% 12% 7% 21% 12% 31% 31% 30% 31% 31% 25% 28% 53% 40% 35% 26% 27% 27% 27% 30% 24% 30% 40% 21% 9% 21% 8% 22% 11% 17% 10% 24% 8% 17% 20% 12% 19% 11% 5% 28% 8% 1% 30% 11% 20% 10% College graduate+ 19% 43% 26% 8% 4% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Q#1: How would you rate your physical health? Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Finance, January 2014. Base (N) = 760. Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 8
Health, Fitness, or Exercise Club Membership Overall about one-in-six (16%) Boomers say they are currently a member of a health, fitness, or exercise club. Boomers HH income and education show some noticeable variations in their likelihood of joining a health, fitness, or exercise club. 31% of Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ report they are currently a member of a health, fitness, or exercise club, compared to 9% of those with a HH income of $25K- $49.9K and 3% of those with a HH income of less than $25K. Boomers with college graduate+ (30%) are more likely than those with high-school or lower level of education (8%) and those with some college education (14%) to report being a member of a health, fitness, or exercise club. Total Boomers Age 49-59 60-67 Gender Male Female HH income Under $25K $25K-$49.9K $50K-$74.9K $75K+ Education HS Graduate or less Some college College graduate+ 16% 16% 15% 3% 9% 8% 17% 18% 20% 14% 31% 30% 83% 83% 84% 85% 82% 97% 91% 80% 67% 91% 86% 70% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Q#2: Are you currently a member of any health, fitness or exercise club? Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Finance, January 2014. Base (N) = 760. Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 9 Yes No
Use of Personal Fitness Mobile Apps Use of personal fitness mobile apps is not very common among Boomers. Only 7% of Boomers reported using a personal fitness mobile app over the past five years. Annual HH income and education showed some variation in use of personal fitness mobile apps. 13% of Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ say they have used personal fitness mobile apps over the past five years, compared to 4% of those with a HH income less than $25K. Boomers with some college education (10%) and those with college graduate or higher level of education (11%) are more likely than those with high school or lower level of education (3%). Fitness Mobile Apps Total Boomers Age Gender Annual Household Income Education 49-59 60+ Male Female Under $25K $25- $49.9K $50- $74.9K $75K+ HS Grad or less Some College % % % % % % % % % % % % Any personal fitness apps 7 7 6 6 8 4 6 7 13 3 10 11 Fitness Buddy 1 1 1 * 1 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 Lose It 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 3 Endomondo Sports Tracker 1 1 * 1 1 1 0 2 2 * 1 2 Touchfit: GPS 1 2 1 2 1 3 2 1 1 * 4 1 Map My Fitness 1 2 * 2 1 * 0 1 3 * 3 2 My Fitness Pal 1 1 * 1 1 0 * * 2 0 * 2 Other 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 5 5 2 3 4 Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Finance, January 2014. Base (N) = 760. Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. College Grad+ Q#3: Have you used the following or any other types of personal fitness mobile apps in the past five years? 10
Perception on Physical Fitness Exercise Priority Two-thirds (67%) of Boomers say physical fitness exercise is one of their most important priorities (18%) or one of their priorities, but not among the most important priorities they have today (49%). And another one-third (32%) of Boomers say physical fitness exercise is not a priority for them today. Results indicate that the higher the education Boomers have completed the higher their likelihood to consider physical fitness exercise a priority. Eight-in-ten (80%) Boomers with a HH income of $75K+ say physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today, compared to less than six-in-ten Boomers with a HH income of less than $25K (57%) or $25K-$49.9K (58%). Boomers with college graduate+ level of education are more likely than those with high school or lower level of education to say physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today (78% vs. 61%). Total Boomers Age 49-59 60-67 Gender Male Female HH income Under $25K $25K-$49.9K $50K-$74.9K $75K+ Education HS Graduate or less Some college 18% 19% 18% 18% 19% 19% 10% 19% 21% 16% 17% 49% 49% 49% 47% 50% 38% 48% 53% 59% 45% 49% 32% 32% 33% 34% 31% 42% 40% 28% 19% 38% 35% College graduate+ 24% 54% 22% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Q#4: Thinking about all the priorities you have today, which of these statements most closely reflects your opinion? 1. Physical fitness exercise is one of my most important priorities today. 2. Physical fitness exercise is one of the priorities, but not among the most important priorities that I have today. 3. Physical fitness exercise is not a priority for me today. Physical fitness exercise is one of my most important priorities today Physical fitness exercise is one of the priorities, but not among the most important priorities that I have today Physical fitness exercise is not a priority for me today Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Finance, January 2014. Base (N) = 760. Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. 11
Reasons for Physical Fitness Exercise Being a Priority Boomers report various reasons why physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today. It keeps me mobile, not dependent on others tops the list of the reasons, reported by half (48%) of Boomers who say physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today, followed by I enjoy doing it/it s fun (30%), I have always had this as a priority (26%), Doctor recommended it as a must (26%), and It makes me feel younger (25%). Results show some demographic variations with respect to the reasons why Boomers consider physical fitness as a priority. Older Boomers (ages 60-67) are more likely than their younger counterparts (ages 49-59) to report It keeps me mobile, not dependent on others (61% vs. 43%) and Doctor recommended it as a must (33% vs. 23%), while younger Boomers are more likely than older Boomers to report To maintain health (9% vs. 3%). Boomers with at least some college education are more likely than those with high school or less to report I enjoy doing it/it s fun (34-35% vs. 23%). Boomers with college graduate or higher level of education are more likely than those with high school or lower levels to report It makes me feel younger (34% vs. 18%), and I have always had physical fitness as a priority (35% vs. 21%). Reasons Why Physical Fitness Exercise is a Priority Q# 5A: Could you please tell me why physical fitness exercise is a priority for you today? Total Boomers Age Gender Annual Household Income Education 49-59 60+ Male Female Under $25K $25K- $49.9K $50K- $74.9K $75K+ HS Grad or less Some College % % % % % % % % % % % % It keeps me mobile, not dependent on 48 43 61 40 55 48 51 50 48 47 53 46 others I enjoy doing it, it s fun 30 31 27 30 30 22 34 39 31 23 35 34 I have always had this as a priority 26 25 27 28 24 25 21 33 27 21 21 35 Doctor recommended it as a must 26 23 33 24 27 30 26 20 23 29 26 22 It makes me feel younger 25 26 21 26 24 20 21 27 31 18 25 34 It provides me an opportunity to be with my 13 13 15 12 15 12 12 18 15 13 16 12 spouse/partner /friends- we do it together To maintain my health 8 9 3 8 8 7 5 7 10 5 9 10 Other health-related reasons 3 3 4 3 4 5 4 0 4 6 3 1 To live longer 1 1 1 1 1 * 1 1 * 1 2 1 I feel better/mental health 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 * 2 * 1 2 To lose weight/maintain weight 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 * 1 1 Other 4 4 3 5 3 8 2 2 1 6 1 3 Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Fitness, January 2014. Base (N) = 505 (Only those Boomers who reported that physical fitness exercise is a priority for them today). Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. * in the table indicates less than 1%. Cumulative percentage may exceed 100% due to multiple responses. 12 College Grad+
Reasons for Physical Fitness Exercise Not Being a Priority While asking those Boomers who reported physical fitness exercise is not a priority for them today about the reasons for not considering physical fitness exercise as a priority, they gave various reasons. The top five reasons given by at least about one-in-five of them include: I don t have time (30%) I am disabled/physically impaired (22%) I have a chronic illness/i am sick (21%) I have other more important priorities (20%) I don t like to exercise/i have no interest (17%) Results show some demographic variations with respect to the reasons why Boomers don t consider physical fitness as a priority. Female Boomers are more likely than their male counterparts to say I have other more important priorities (27% vs. 13%) and I don t like to exercise/i have no interest (28% vs. 7%), but they are less likely than male Boomers to say I am active at work (1% vs. 7%). Boomers with a HH income of less than $50K (21-31%) compared to those with a HH income of $75K or more (3%) are more likely to say I am disabled/physically impaired ; and Boomers with a HH income of $50K or more are more likely than those which a HH income of less than $25K to say I don t have time (36-44% vs. 15%). Reasons Why Physical Fitness Exercise is NOT a Priority Total Boomers Age Gender Annual Household Income Education 49-59 60+ Male Female Under $25K $25K- $49.9K $50K- $74.9K $75K+ HS Grad or less Some College % % % % % % % % % % % % I don t have time 30 32 27 24 36 15 32 36 44 31 25 32 I am disabled/physically impaired 22 22 23 25 19 31 21 17 3 21 22 25 I have a chronic illness/i am sick 21 20 24 20 22 28 23 13 9 20 20 24 I have other more important priorities 20 18 21 13 27 13 15 11 29 19 23 18 I don t like to exercise/ I have no interest 17 14 22 7 28 13 18 14 18 20 9 20 I don t need any exercise/i am fit 13 13 14 18 9 6 15 14 21 15 12 11 I am active at work 4 4 4 7 1 5 * 2 9 3 4 6 Laziness 2 2 2 1 3 0 5 4 0 1 5 0 Other 6 6 4 6 5 9 3 4 5 7 3 4 Source: AARP Bulletin Poll, Boomers and Fitness, January 2014. Base (N) = 250 (Only those Boomers who reported that physical fitness exercise is NOT a priority for them today). Note: Don t know/refused cases are not shown in the figure. * in the table indicates less than 1%. Cumulative percentage may exceed 100% due to multiple responses. College Grad+ Q# 5A: Could you please tell me why physical fitness exercise is NOT a priority for you today? 13
Research Methods Overview 14
Research Methods Overview Research Objectives: Data Collection Mode: Sample: To assess American Boomers perceptions on their physical health and their practice of using personal fitness mobile apps. Random-digit dial telephone omnibus survey. National representative sample of 760 respondents ages 49 to 67 (Boomers). Of the total, 396 respondents were ages 49-59 and 336 respondents were age 60+, and 28 respondents refused to report their actual age. Fielded: January 02-15, 2014. Margin of Error: For total respondents: +/- 4.3% at the 95% level of confidence. 15
Annotated Questionnaire 16
Boomers and Physical Fitness: An AARP Bulletin Survey (January 2014) Q-1. How would you rate your physical health? Annotated Questionnaire EXCELLENT/VERY GOOD FAIR/POOR Don t NET Excellent Very good Good NET Fair Poor know Refused % % % % % % % % % Total Boomers (N= 760) 43 12 31 27 29 21 9 -- 1 Age 49-59 (n= 396) 43 13 31 27 29 21 8 -- 1 Age 60+ (n= 336) 41 11 30 27 32 22 11 -- -- Q-2. Are you currently a member of any health, fitness or exercise club? Yes No Don t know Refused % % % % Total Boomers (N= 760) 16 83 -- * Age 49-59 (n= 396) 17 83 -- 1 Age 60+ (n= 336) 16 84 -- -- Q-3. Have you used the following or any other types of personal fitness mobile apps in the past five years? Total Boomers (N= 760) Age 49-59 (n= 396) 60+ (n= 336) % % % Any (NET) 7 7 6 Fitness Buddy 1 1 1 Lose it 1 1 1 Endomondo Sports Tracker 1 1 * Touchfit: GPS 1 2 1 Map My Fitness 1 2 * My Fitness Pal 1 1 * Other 3 3 3 None/Never used 92 92 92 Don t know 1 1 2 Refused -- -- -- 17
Q-4. Thinking about all the priorities you have today, which of these statements most closely reflects your opinion? Physical fitness exercise is one of my most important Physical fitness exercise is one of the priorities, but not among the most Physical fitness exercise in not a Don t know Refused priorities today important priorities I have today priority for me today % % % % % Total Boomers (N= 760) 18 49 32 1 * Age 49-59 (n= 396) 19 49 32 1 * Age 60+ (n= 336) 18 49 33 * * (Asked of total respondents age 49-67 whom physical fitness exercise is a priority; N = 505; 49-59 = 270; 60+ = 216) Q-5A. Could you please tell me why physical fitness exercise is a priority for you today? Total (N= 505) Age 49-59 (n= 270) 60+ (n= 216) % % % It makes me feel younger 25 26 21 It keeps me mobile, not dependent on others 48 43 61 Doctor recommended it as a must 26 23 33 It provides me an opportunity to be with my 13 13 15 spouse/partner/friends we do it together I enjoy doing fitness activities, it s fun 30 31 27 I have always had physical fitness as a priority 26 25 27 For my health/maintain health 8 9 3 Health reasons 3 3 4 Live longer 1 1 1 Feel better/mental health 1 1 1 Lose weight/maintain weight 1 1 1 Other 4 4 3 Don t know 1 * 1 Refused * * * 18
(Asked of total respondents age 49-67 whom physical fitness exercise is not a priority; n = 250; 49-59 = 123; 60+ = 118) Q-5B. Could you please tell me why physical fitness exercise is NOT a priority for you today? Total (N= 250) Age 49-59 (n= 123) 60+ (n= 118) % % % I have other more important priorities than physical fitness 20 18 21 I am disabled/physically impaired 22 22 23 I have chronic illness/i am sick 21 20 24 I don t like to do exercise/i have no interest 17 14 22 I don t need any exercise/i am fit 13 13 14 I don t have time 30 32 27 Active at work 4 4 4 Laziness 2 2 2 Other 6 6 4 Don t know -- -- -- Refused * 1 -- 19
For more information contact: Matrika Chapagain, Ph.D. Senior Research Adviser 202-434- 6353 MChapagain@aarp.org 20