The Physical Activity Patterns among Rural Chinese Adults: Data from China National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2010–2012

China has experienced a rapid increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in rural China. In addition to a dramatic increase in energy intake, the decrease in physical activity (PA) may be a reason. The study described the patterns and factors of physical activity and sedentary behaviors of 70,038 adults in rural China, based on data from the Chinese Nutrition and Health Survey (CNNHS) in 2010–2012. The mean working time of the employed subjects was 6.04 ± 1.3 day/week, 8.38 ± 2.2 h/day, of which 3.37 ± 2.8 h was sitting time. The occupational PA intensity was significantly relevant with occupation. The average transportation time of the rural Chinese adults was 57.9 ± 45.4 min, and 60.0% took the active transportation mode. The leisure-time PA (LTPA) participation rate was 3.8%, the LTPA time of those who had LTPA was 234.9 ± 231.3 min/week, lower participation was found in farmers and those in younger age groups, and those with lower educational and economic levels. The average domestic PA time, sedentary leisure-time, and sleeping time was 93.0 ± 72.7 min, 2.5 ± 1.4 h, and 7.9 ± 1.1 h, respectively. PA programs should be implemented in rural China, and the PA guidelines for farmers should be developed separately for the farming and non-farming seasons