Fisieke aktiwiteit, lewenstyl en enkele sosio-ekonomiese aspekte se verband met die gesondheidstatus van mans in Potchefstroom

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies have shown that a low socio-economic status (SES) is related to negative lifestyle choices and a higher tendency for premature disease and all-cause mortality. Individuals with a high level of socio-economic status (SES) report the best lifestyles and health status. These relationships are, however, influenced by the race and sex of the individual. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of two socio-economic factors namely income and educational attainment with the lifestyle, physical activity profile and health status of a group of men. The subjects of this study were 525 caucasion male inhabitants of Potchefstroom, a city in the North West Province of South Africa. Subjects between the ages of 30 and 60 were selected at random according to street addresses. The quality of participation in physical activity was determined with Sharkey's physical activity index, the quality of lifestyle was determined by using the seven Belloc and Breslow habits and Walker's health promoting lifestyle profile, while health status was measured by Wyler's seriousness of illness rating scale. Educational attainment showed a direct and statistically significant (p_0.05) relationship with lifestyle, participation in physical activity and health status. The higher the educational attainment of the participants the better the lifestyle, quality of participation in physical activity and state of health. However, income showed only a direct and statistically significant (p_0.05) relationship with the quality of participation in physical activity. No statistically significant (p>0.05) relationship was found between income, lifestyle and health status. Two-way analysis of variance showed no relationship between educational attainment and health status, independent from lifestyle and participation in physical activity. Although the active (moderate and high) individuals showed the best lifestyle, participation in physical activity and health status throughout the study, educational attainment seems to have an effect on the health status of inactive individuals. The results of this study therefore seem to indicate that socio-economic status (SES), and in particular educational attainment, influences health through the effect it has on the individuals lifestyle and quality of participation in physical activity. (S. African J. for Research in Sport, Physical Ed. and Recreation: 2001 23 (2): 35-50)