Healthy People 2010 objectives for physical activity include, that for people over age 18, no more than 20% will have no leisure time physical activity, at least 30% will engage in regular moderate physical activity 5 or more days per week for 30 or more minutes, and at least 30% will engage in regular, vigorous physical activity three or more days per week for 20 or more minutes. As of 2001, S.C. BRFSS data showed that 26.4% of S.C. residents over age 18 had no leisure time physical activity, 31.2% engage in regular moderate physical activity 5 or more days per week for 30 or more minutes, and 24.1% engage in regular, vigorous physical activity three or more days per week for 20 or more minutes.

Because exercise behavior is a predictor of weight status, and weight status is a predictor of general health status, exercise is considered to be a valid indicator of health status of a community. There is a direct correlation between increased exercise and decreased incidence of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers.

When asked, “during the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening or walking for exercise?”, residents of Spartanburg indicate they are more likely to do so than residents in peer counties (see Figure 6).