Updated: February 2024

Author: Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, Vermont Department of Health

This indicator, or population measure, is part of our Healthy Vermonters 2030 data set. Read more about how this data helps us understand and improve the well-being of people in Vermont on the Healthy Vermonters 2030 webpage.

Because this data is meant to show how the health of our state changes during the decade from 2020-2030, some indicators may have very few data points for now. Keep checking back to see the progress our public health system and partners are making.

We would like to see this number decrease to 22% or less by 2030.

In 2022, approximately 28% of Vermonters aged 65 and over reported getting no leisure time physical activity in the past month. The percentage of older adults in Vermont not participating in leisure time physical activity in the past month was 25% in 2021.

There are many factors that influence how active aged 65 and over may be. One fifth of these Vermonters are still in the workforce, and many are helping with caregiving for grandchildren, spouses, or other family members. The rural nature of Vermont and its poor “active transportation” infrastructure (i.e. incomplete or inadequate sidewalks, bicycle facilities, public transit) results in Vermonters needing to spend additional time sitting in cars to get to where they need or want to go and make it less possible to walk or bike to do errands. Additionally, 28% of Vermonters 65 and over report having a disability, which may impede their ability to be active.

Looking for more data?

• See previous data similar to this indicator from our 2020 Scorecards.
• See the corresponding national Healthy People 2030 objective for the proportion of adults who aren't physically active in their free time.

Being physically active has many benefits and is one of the most important things people can do to improve their health. Regular physical activity can reduce the burden of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, and can support brain health and prevent early death. Physical activity can also help people with chronic diseases manage their conditions. It can help prevent falls, reduce depression, and may improve cognitive abilities.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, any amount of physical activity is beneficial. Ideally though, adults should do at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity (like walking), 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity or a combination, each week.

Older Vermonters that are less likely to participate in leisure time physical activity may face barriers such as work and caregiving responsibilities and living in rural areas without infrastructure such as sidewalks, good lighting for night outdoor activities and safe areas to bike. Vermonters over age 65 and living with disabilities also face barriers such as lack of infrastructure that is safe for them if they use mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers, as well as discrimination by others whom they encounter while recreating or walking to do errands.

The Vermont Department of Health is working to strengthen access to physical activity for ALL Vermonters. This includes working with the state’s municipal planning and development agencies on writing health language into town and regional plans. Training and resources have also been provided to town planners and others so they can encourage people who don’t typically provide input into municipal processes to participate. We also partner with the Vermont Agencies of Transportation and Commerce and Community Development as well as AARP-VT to strengthen Vermont’s infrastructure for walking and biking.

In 2023, the Vermont Department of Health was awarded a grant to increase physical activity programs that benefit people with arthritis. Walk with Ease, a program developed by the Arthritis Foundation, will be offered in a variety of settings across Vermont starting in Spring of 2024. Also available are the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, both through My Health Vermont. We will be working to publicize these programs to medical providers so they can refer patients, as well as to the general public, as a referral is not required to participate in the programs.

Vermont tracks risk behaviors and chronic disease using a telephone survey of adults called the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). Since 1990, Vermont, along with the 49 other states, Washington D.C. and U.S. territories, has participated in the BRFSS with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC and other program funders and partners provide the resources for the Department of Health to carry out the BRFSS survey in Vermont.

Learn more about the BRFSS methodology.