Changing Sedentary Lifestyle Among Adult Utahns by

Sedentary lifestyle as a recognized risk factor for health outcomes is a relatively new concept. Based on analyses of three available data sources, this article presents a multilevel overview of physical activity among Utah adults. Study I reports a trend of sedentary lifestyle in Utah since the 1980s. Study I1 reveals an inconsistency between Utahns ' awareness regarding the benefits of physical activity and apparent lack of action in the 1990s. In order to meet the challenge of changing sedentary lifestyle in Utah, Studies 111 and IV examine the influences of ten factors on physical activity, including the effects of individual socio-demographic characteristics, health insurance status, and relationships with others in family and community. The authors suggest that public health initiatives must be multifaceted; family-and community-focused, specific groups targeted; and grounded in research of health education, social sciences and behavior change, and effective social-marketing