Abstract
BackgroundAssessing the correlates of practicing physical activity during leisure time is important with regard to planning and designing public health strategies to increase beneficial behaviors among adult populations. Although the importance of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is highlighted in many Western countries, there are not many publications on physical activity patterns, and even less on their correlates, in non-Western societies. The goal of this study was thus to explore the determinants influencing adults' leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in a city in southern Taiwan.MethodsA cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2007, using a standardized questionnaire. Energy expenditure was dichotomized into two groups based on the recommended levels of moderate physical activity from LTPA: ≥10 or < 10 MET·hr·wk-1. Logistic regression analyses were applied to the results.ResultsA total of 762 subjects with valid data took part in the study (mean age 53.8 ± 13.8 years). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found the following results: Age was positively associated with LTPA. Adults with stronger perceived convenience of exercise facilities (OR = 2.04; 95%CI = 1.28-3.24) and past exercise experience in school (OR = 1.86; 95%CI= 1.19-2.91) participated in more LTPA. Subjects with more general social support (OR = 1.66;95%CI = 1.13-2.44), greater knowledge about the health benefits of exercise (OR = 1.85;95%CI = 1.25-2.74), more sports media consumption (OR = 1.94;95%CI = 1.26-2.98), and higher self-efficacy (OR = 3.99;95%CI = 2.67-5.97) were more likely to engage in LTPA. Further analysis comparing different sources of social support showed only social support from friends had a significant positive association (OR = 1.73;95%CI = 1.14-2.63) with increased LTPA.ConclusionsLTPA in southern city of Taiwan showed some unique associations with age, socioeconomic status and media consumption that are not commonly reported in the Western World and similar associations with regards to psychosocial correlates of LTPA participation. Further studies from developing countries are warranted to highlight culture-specific differences in physical activity participation.
Highlights
Assessing the correlates of practicing physical activity during leisure time is important with regard to planning and designing public health strategies to increase beneficial behaviors among adult populations
All 762 subjects were interviewed according to a structured questionnaire, which included items related to demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, past medical history, lifestyle behaviors, involvement in leisure time physical activity (LTPA), and associated factors related to such activities
Subjects whose LTPA did not meet the recommended guideline account for a larger percentage in the young adults group, and the low LTPA individuals were more likely to have a care burden, be single and without chronic disease, have infrequent participation in school sports or other exercise programs, and poor perceived convenience of facilities around their home than those who met the recommendation
Summary
Assessing the correlates of practicing physical activity during leisure time is important with regard to planning and designing public health strategies to increase beneficial behaviors among adult populations. The goal of this study was to explore the determinants influencing adults’ leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in a city in southern Taiwan. Threegeneration households are relatively common in many Asian countries, and support from family members might be more important for Asian people than that received from friends or peers. Based on these basic cultural differences and their likely influences on individuals’ leisure time activities, the purpose of this study was to explore the determining factors which influence the adults’ LTPA in a city in southern Taiwan
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