Abstract MP33: Modes of Physical Activity Engagement Differ by Federal Poverty Level Among Men and Women: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2014

Abstract

Introduction: Research has consistently identified the health benefits of physical activity (PA) and that low-income populations engage in less PA than their more affluent counterparts and may differ by gender. However, research has focused on leisure time PA (LTPA) with less emphasis on PA engagement from employment and transportation. This study aims to determine if those in lower Federal Poverty Level (FPL) categories differ in their modes of PA engagement compared to those of higher FPL categories. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that individuals of lower FPL status would be more likely to meet PA guidelines (≥150 minutes moderate to vigorous PA) from employment and transportation PA and less likely to meet PA guidelines from LTPA compared to those of higher FPL status. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from NHANES 2007-2014 participants aged 21 to 59 years (females: n =6,736; males: n=6,047). Weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between FPL (FPL ≤0.99, 1.00-1.99, 2.00-2.99 vs FPL ≥ 3.00) and meeting PA guidelines in three domains: employment, transportation, and LTPA. Models were stratified by sex and adjusted for weight status, age, race, nativity, marital status, education, employment, and health insurance. Results: Among women, those of lower FPL had increased odds of meeting PA guidelines from employment [(FPL ≤ 0.99: OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.06), (FPL 1.00-1.99: OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.88). Those in the 2.00-2.99 FPL category had similar odds of meeting PA guidelines from employment (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.94), compared to those FPL ≥ 3.00. Women of lower FPL had similar odds of meeting PA guidelines from transportation compared to those FPL ≥ 3.00 ( p > .05). Further, women of lower FPL were significantly less likely to meet PA recommendations from LTPA [(FPL ≤ 0.99: OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.57), (FPL 1.00-1.99: OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.62), (FPL 2.00-2.99: OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.90)]. Among men, only those in the 2.00-2.99 category having increased odds of meeting PA guidelines from employment (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.86). Only the lowest FPL category men (FPL ≤0.99) had increased odds of meeting PA guidelines from transportation (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.51). Similar to women, lower FPL men were significantly less likely to meet PA recommendations from LTPA [(FPL ≤ 0.99: OR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.79), (FPL 1.00-1.99: OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.70), (FPL 2.00-2.99: OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.84)]. Conclusions: These findings suggest that modes of PA engagement differ by FPL category among men and women. Researchers studying PA among low-income populations must assess employment and transportation PA in addition to LTPA in order to accurately estimate PA engagement. Practitioners attempting to increase PA among low-income populations need to consider other modes of PA rather than solely focusing on LTPA.