Predictors of physical activity and smoking among German teachers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Abstract

Abstract Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has influenced the social and health-related behavior due to significant changes and constraints in the professional and private life. Especially in the school context, there were considerable changes, which may have promoted positive and negative health behaviors. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify the predictors of physical activity and smoking of teachers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods In March 2021, a nation-wide online survey was conducted among teachers in Germany. A total number of 31,089 participants entered analysis. Data on smoking and physical activity as well as sociodemographic, workplace-related, psychological, SARS-CoV-2-related, and health-related items were collected using established instruments and if necessary self-developed items. Two binary logistic regressions with block wise inclusion of the different variable groups were performed to predict physical activity and smoking. Results Among all surveyed teachers, 70.1% did not comply with the WHO recommendation of being physically active for at least 150 minutes per week and 13.9% reported to smoke. The regression analyses revealed significant predictors for physical activity (e.g., time requirement) and smoking (e.g., work schedule). Conclusions Recommendations to improve teachers’ health can be derived from the predictors for physical activity and smoking that were identified in our study. Given the alarming result that more than two thirds of the teachers did not comply with the WHO recommendations, a special focus should be placed on improving physical activity, as this is a crucial factor for somatic and mental health. Key messages