The relationship between sedentary lifestyle and perceived health status was examined in 3610 participants in the 1993 California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Sedentary men of all ages and older sedentary women were more likely to report more than 2 days per week of poor physical health and more than 2 days per week of restricted activity. Older sedentary men and women were more likely to report more than 2 days per week of poor mental health.