Perceived physical activity and mortality: evidence from three nationally representative U.S. samples
Octavia Zahrt and Alia Crum analysed 61,141 American adults from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey and two rounds of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, linked to death records through 2011, with follow-up of up to twenty-one years. People who saw themselves as less active than others their age were up to 71 per cent more likely to die during follow-up than those who saw themselves as more active, after adjusting for measured activity and other factors. The study is observational, so it shows an association rather than a cause, and undeclared illness could shape both self-perception and survival.
Octavia Zahrt and Alia Crum analysed 61,141 American adults from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey and two rounds of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, linked to death records through 2011, with follow-up of up to twenty-one years. People who saw themselves as less active than others their age were up to 71 per cent more likely to die during follow-up than those who saw themselves as more active, after adjusting for measured activity and other factors. The study is observational, so it shows an association rather than a cause, and undeclared illness could shape both self-perception and survival.
Written from the verified research record for article 63, 2026-10-08; per-sample figures not carried.
What our sources record
Reproduced as it was written when this source was checked, figures and all.
doi:10.1037/hea0000531. 61,141 adults from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey and the 1999-2002 and 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, linked to National Death Index data through 2011; follow-up up to 21 years; up to 71 per cent higher mortality for those perceiving themselves as less active than peers, adjusting for measured activity and other covariates. Per-sample figures not carried. Observational.