Forum on Child and Family StatisticsActivity Limitation
Activity limitation may result from a chronic physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral condition that prevents a child from participating fully in age-appropriate activities. Age-appropriate activities for children ages 5–17 consist of a child's ability to complete regular school work and perform other activities, including self-care and walking. Activity limitation is a broad measure of functioning affected by a variety of health conditions. The causes of activity limitation most often reported by parents of children ages 5–17 include learning disabilities; speech problems; and other mental, emotional, and behavioral problems.131
Indicator HEALTH5: Percentage of children ages 5–17 with activity limitation resulting from one or more chronic health conditions by gender, selected years 2008–2018
NOTE: Children are identified as having activity limitation by asking parents whether children receive special education services and whether children are limited in their ability to walk, care for themselves, or participate in other activities. "Activity limitation indicated by participation in special education" includes children identified solely by their use of special education services. "Activity limitation indicated by all other limitations" includes limitations in self-care, walking, or other activities; children in this category also may receive special education services. Chronic health conditions are conditions that once acquired are not cured or have a duration of 3 months or more. In 2019, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) questionnaire was redesigned, and other changes were made to weighting and design methodology. As part of the questionnaire redesign, some of the questions previously used to measure activity limitation were dropped from the survey; therefore, 2019 data are not available for this indicator. For more information on the 2019 NHIS redesign, see https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/EReval202009-508.pdf.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey.
- In 2018, 10% of children ages 5–17 were reported by parents to have activity limitation caused by chronic conditions. Roughly 8% of children ages 5–17 were identified as having activity limitation solely by their participation in special education. About 2% of children ages 5–17 were identified as having an activity limitation by difficulties in their ability to walk, care for themselves, or participate in other activities, regardless of their participation in special education.
- The percentage of children with an activity limitation increased by 2 percentage points between 2008 and 2018. This increase was driven by the percentage of children identified as having activity limitation solely by their participation in special education, which increased from 7% in 2008 to 8% in 2018.
- Activity limitation was reported more often for boys (13%) than for girls (7%) in 2018. Boys were also more likely than girls to participate in special education (11% of boys versus 6% of girls).
- The percentage of boys with an activity limitation increased by 2 percentage points between 2008 and 2018. During the same time frame, the percentage of girls with an activity limitation increased by 1 percentage point. Both increases were driven by increases in the percentage of children identified as having activity limitation solely by their participation in special education.
131 Houtrow, A. J., Larson, K., Olson, L. M., Newacheck, P. W., & Halfon, N. (2014). Changing trends of childhood disability, 2001–2011. Pediatrics, 134, 530–538.
Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
