Objective: To determine whether leisure-time physical activity is associated with lower direct annual medical expenditures among a sample of adults with mental disorders.
Methods: Using the 1995 National Health Interview Survey and 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, differences between medical expenditures for sedentary and active persons were analyzed using t-tests.
Results: The per capita annual direct medical expenditure was US 2785 dollars higher for sedentary than for active persons (P<0.05). The total expenditure associated with sedentary behavior was US 31.7 billion dollars (US 19.1 billion dollars in men; US 12.6 billion dollars in women).
Conclusions: Physical activity is associated with a reduced economic burden among people with mental disorders.