Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study describes the patterns of leisure-time physical activity among Taiwanese adults and examines factors associated with physical activity in this population. METHODS: We used data from the 2001 National Health Interview Survey of Taiwan (NHIST). NHIST questions on leisure-time physical activity consisted of the type, intensity, frequency and duration of physically active exercises within the past two weeks. A total of 7980 male and 8156 female adults aged 18 years or older who completed the exercise questions were recruited. 'Regularly active' was defined as 5 times a week and accumulated ≥150 minutes in any intensity or 3 times a week for at least 20 minutes in vigorous exercise. RESULTS: Adults in Taiwan were more likely to be 'regularly active' if they were ≥ 45 years of age, graduated from high school or above, non-smokers and without dysfunction in activity of daily living (ADL). Subjects who exercised regularly also had significantly better scores in self-perceived physical function, pain, general health, vitality and mental health (assessed by SF-36 Taiwan version) than those had no exercise (p <0.001). In the multivariate logistic model, independent of age and education status, male subjects had a greater risk of doing no exercise if they were current smokers (OR= 1.83; 95% CI: 1.65, 2.01) and female subjects who had difficulty in ADL were more likely to report no exercise (OR= 1.85; 95% CI: 1.26, 2.71) during their leisure time. CONCLUSION: About half of Taiwanese adults reported no exercise and only one fifth of adults exercised regularly during their leisure time. Physically active exercise was lowest among adults 25–34 years of age, among adults receiving education less than high school, among male smokers and among the disabled females. These RESULTS will inform strategies to promote physical activity among these target groups.