Physical Activity In Korean Adults Research Articles

Psychosocial and Environmental Correlates of Physical Activity in Korean Adults.

Using hypothesized structural equation modeling, we investigated contributions to physical activity (PA) from psychological, social, and environmental variables. Participants were 768 adults aged 30 years or older (men = 353, women = 415; Mage = 42.51, SD = 10.21years) living in Jungrang-gu, Seoul. To assess psychological, social, and environmental variables, respondents completed scales measuring self-efficacy, decisional balance, social support, physical environment, and leisure time exercise. We found that psychological, social, and environmental variables had a statistically significant effect on PA, with psychological variables mediating the effects of social and physical environmental variables on PA. These findings lend support to the assumed internal and external validity of the social ecological model (SEM) as an explanation for PA.

Interaction between blood cadmium and lead concentration and physical activity on hypertension from the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey in 2008–2013

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that blood Cd, Pb exposure, and physical activity levels may influence the development of hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood Cd, Pb levels, and hypertension by the level of physical activity in Korean adults using The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).MethodsWe used data from the KNHANES (2008–2013), a nationally representative, cross-sectional, population-based study. We included 8,510 participants who had records of blood Cd, Pb and, blood pressure measurements. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between blood Cd and Pb exposure and the development of hypertension, as well as the modifying effects of physical activity levels. Additive interaction was estimated using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) and synergy index (S).ResultsFollowing covariates adjustments, we found significant associations of blood Cd and Pb with higher hypertension prevalence. This association was more apparent in low physical activity while blood Cd and Pb concentrations were not significantly associated with hypertension in participants with more activity. Additionally, there was a significant interaction between blood Cd and physical activity on hypertension risk (RERI = 0.17, 95% CI: -0.36–0.7; AP = 0.12, 95% CI: -0.28–0.52; S = 1.75, 95% CI:1.36–2.14).ConclusionsOur results suggest that low physical activity may substantially amplify the adverse effects of blood Pb and Cd exposure on hypertension risk. However, interactions were only found for Cd. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Application of the Transtheoretical Model to Identify Physical Activity-Related Psychological Variables in Disabled Adults

OBJECTIVES The current study aimed at identifying the theoretical relation of the transtheoretical model (TTM) to explain physical activity in Korean adults with physical disabilities.METHODS A total of 194 participants ( Age Mean = 48.65 years) were voluntarily recruited for this study. Dissemination sources for participant recruitment included: (a) a press release issued through the authors’ university; (b) recruitment flyers posted on various websites (e.g., Independent Living Centers, Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers, Veteran’s Administration Hospitals); and (c) announcements made through and in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Health and Wellness consortium members. Through these procedures, 194 adults (80.83%) completed the survey form; there were 113 males (58.3%) and 81 females (41.7%). The remaining 46 (19.17%) were excluded because they did not complete the survey form or return.RESULTS Results indicated that the TTM constructs assessed were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with the stages of change for physical activity. The largest portion of variance was derived from the behavioral processes of change (ƞ2 = .40), followed by self-efficacy (ƞ2 = .30), the pros for exercise (ƞ2 = .19), the cognitive processes of change and the cons for exercise (ƞ2 = .16, respectively). Moreover, four discriminant functions (i.e., composite scores of the predictors) were produced in the first DDF analysis. These accounted for 71.0% (Wilks’ Λ = .31, χ2 [56] = 368.04, P < .001), 20.9% (Wilks’ Λ = .66, χ2 [39] = 129.91, P < 0.001), 6.3% (Wilks’ Λ = .88, χ2 [24] = 39.39, P < 0.05), and 1.8% (Wilks’ Λ = .97, χ2 [11] = 9.04, P = .62), respectively, of the between-group (stage of change) variability.CONCLUSIONS The results provide further cross-sectional support for the internal validity of the transtheoretical model, as the processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance were important variables of a stage of change for physical activity, Additionally, the study is in general agreement with existing evidence among nondisabled populations and, therefore, it supports the external validation of TTM to a unique and understudied population segment.

The Relationship between Dog Ownership and Physical Activity in Korean Adults.

BackgroundMany studies have reported that dog ownership is effective in encouraging physical activity. However, the association between living with a dog and enhanced physical activity has not been clearly verified. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dog ownership on the amount of physical activity in a representative sample of Korean adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study administered the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to 1,299 individuals who visited the international healthcare center of one hospital in Seoul, Korea, between August and December in 2018. Based on responses to the IPAQ survey, the amount and duration of physical activity was calculated to analyze relationships with dog ownership.ResultsThe total amount (P=0.02) and duration of physical activity (P=0.02) and the duration of vigorous-intensity physical activity (P=0.04) were significantly higher among dog owners than non-dog owners. The duration of daily physical activity increased with dog ownership by 18.6 minutes (P=0.01). A comparison of dog owners according to whether they walked with their dogs revealed that dog walking had no significant effect on the amount and duration of physical activity, inactivity, or health-enhancing physical activity status. There was a sex-specific association between dog ownership and total duration of physical activity in females.ConclusionThe duration of physical activity increased by dog ownership. However, the higher levels of physical activity among dog owners may not necessarily be explained by dog ownership or walking with dogs. This outcome suggests that raising a dog can help promote physical activity.

Energy expenditure of physical activity in Korean adults and assessment of accelerometer accuracy by gender

Energy expenditure of physical activity in Korean adults and assessment of accelerometer accuracy by gender

군 지역 성인의 신체활동 실천에 미치는 영향요인에 대한 다수준 분석

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the individual and community level factors associated with physical activity and to identify its relative effects using a multilevel analysis among Korean adults in certain counties. Methods: A cross-sectional data of 39,547 adults (age range of 19~64 years) living in 82 counties from the 2013 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) was analyzed. Individual and social correlates from KCHS and physical environmental data from the Korean Statistical Information Service were collected. A multilevel logistic regression was performed using Stata 10.0 IC. Results: Multilevel analyses showed that the effect of social and physical environmental on engaging in moderate or vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significant in comparison to the influence of individual correlates. The individual factors that were associated with participating in MVPA included gender, marital status, education, job, and household income. In the community level, social environmental factors associated with engagement in MVPA were higher satisfaction with healthcare service (OR=3.410, 95% CI=1.109~11.269), a high level of social support (OR=5.920, 95% CI=1.459~22.657) and social network (OR=1.025, 95% CI= 1.017~1.032). Conclusion: To promote moderate or vigorous physical activity in Korean adults in some counties, social environmental factors should be considered along with individual correlates.

Osteoporosis, vitamin C intake, and physical activity in Korean adults aged 50 years and over.

[Purpose] To investigate associations between vitamin C intake, physical activity, and osteoporosis among Korean adults aged 50 and over. [Subjects and Methods] This study was based on bone mineral density measurement data from the 2008 to 2011 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. The study sample comprised 3,047 subjects. The normal group was defined as T-score ≥ −1.0, and the osteoporosis group as T-score ≤ −2.5. The odds ratios for osteoporosis were assessed by logistic regression of each vitamin C intake quartile. [Results] Compared to the lowest quartile of vitamin C intake, the other quartiles showed a lower likelihood of osteoporosis after adjusting for age and gender. In the multi-variate model, the odds ratio for the likelihood of developing osteoporosis in the non-physical activity group significantly decreased to 0.66, 0.57, and 0.46 (p for trend = 0.0046). However, there was no significant decrease (0.98, 1.00, and 0.97) in the physical activity group. [Conclusion] Higher vitamin C intake levels were associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis in Korean adults aged over 50 with low levels of physical activity. However, no association was seen between vitamin C intake and osteoporosis risk in those with high physical activity levels.

Gender differences in physical activity and its determinants in rural adults in Korea

This study aimed to examine gender differences in physical activity and its determinants among rural adults in Korea. Only limited studies exist that examined gender differences in physical activity in Korean adults. Major determinants for physical activity such as self-efficacy, benefits and barriers have been studied, but little is known about their gender differences. Nurses promoting and teaching adults to increase physical activity need data for evidence-based practice. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Participants were 481 adults living in a rural area of Korea. The physical activity status, exercise self-efficacy, benefits, barriers and sociodemographics were compared between men and women. Descriptive statistics, t-test and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. The physical activity status, perceived self-efficacy and benefits of physical activity in women were significantly lower than those of men. For men, only self-efficacy was statistically significant in explaining recommended physical activity as well as physical activity participation. However, for women, benefits and barriers as well as self-efficacy significantly explained their participation of physical activity, but not the recommended physical activity. Unlike men, women's physical activity was significantly associated with sociodemographic factors. Gender differences found in this study should be the basis for evidence-based nursing practice. Tailored nursing interventions based on gender would improve physical activity of rural adults in Korea and beyond. Nurses providing care for rural adults should know the gender differences in the determinants of physical activity and provide gender-specific interventions to improve their physical activity.