Abstract
OBJECTIVESPhysical activity (PA) is an established protective factor for many chronic diseases. Numerous studies have established positive relationships between social networks and PA. Accordingly, this study examined the relationship between social network structures (specifically the network size and the number and proportion of same-sex alters) and self-reported PA in Korean middle-age adults, where the term “alter” refers to a respondent’s social network members.METHODSWe analyzed 8,092 participants of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Etiology Research Center cohort. We assessed the association between each network structure variable and PA level using a linear regression model. Then, we employed logistic regression to evaluate associations between social network structure and adherence to guideline-recommended exercise levels. Socio-demographic factors and health status measures were used as covariates.RESULTSIn both sexes, the social network size and proportion of same-sex network members showed positive relationships with total and moderate-to-vigorous PA. Notably, female participants with a greater number of kin were more likely to satisfy the recommended amount of total PA.CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that large scale, same-sex intervention programs can help to achieve recommended PA regimens.
Highlights
Physical activity (PA) is defined as any bodily movement that results in energy expenditure [1]
Some studies have shown that large network size, frequent contact with network members, and acquaintance with demographically homogeneous network members were associated with higher PA levels [7,8]
We examined the association between social network structure and PA level in community-dwelling, middle-aged, Korean adults
Summary
Physical activity (PA) is defined as any bodily movement that results in energy expenditure [1]. Many researchers have studied the protective relationship of PA with mental [2,3], cardiovascular. 2020, Korean Society of Epidemiology [4,5], and metabolic [6] health. As an important lifestyle factor for a wide array of diseases, PA can be promoted by social relationships. Others have proposed that social interactions boost self-esteem, and thereby increase motivation to care for one’s health [7,8,9]. Social network promotes PA by providing social support, role modeling, behavioral guidance, and/or required tools/infrastructure [10,11]
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