Physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, and smoking in working-aged adults: opportunities for prevention in primary care.

The purpose of this study was to document health behaviors (diet, physical activity, cigarette smoking) in working-aged adults with identified primary care providers. We surveyed 1,344 adults in Minnesota and North Dakota 25 to 64 years of age from Essentia Health primary care patient lists in May of 2012. A 21-page, self-administered questionnaire asking about their health habits was mailed to the sample three times during a three-month period. The response to the three mailings was 38.8%, with a final sample size of 522 completed surveys. Overall, 18.5% (95% CL = 18.2, 18.8) of men and 22.3% (95% CL = 22.0, 22.6) of women reported currently smoking. The BMI distribution (normal, overweight and obese) was 16.9%, 40.0% and 43.1%, respectively, for men and 32.8%, 31.7% and 35.5%, respectively, for women. Mean fruit and vegetable intake was significantly lower for men than women (mean = 1.92 servings a day for men and 2.15 for women). Physical inactivity was reported by 6.2% (95% CL = 6.0, 6.4) of the men and 7.2% (95% CL = 7.0, 7.4) of the women. After adjusting for the other variables, people in the older age groups were less likely to smoke (OR = 0.78, 95% CL = 0.65, 0.93) than those in the younger age groups, people living in rural areas were more likely to be obese (OR = 1.67, 95% CL = 1.16, 2.39) than those living in urban areas, and women were more likely than men to be inactive or have low levels of physical activity (OR = 1.47, 95% CL = 1.02, 2.11). These data highlight a number of modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases that primary care providers could address in order to improve long-term health outcomes.