The new step count function of the Actical accelerometer provides valid estimates of step counts at 83 and 133 m.min(-1) on a range of healthy participants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides biomonitoring data in the United States as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Recently, Statistics Canada initiated a similar survey — the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Comparison of US and Canadian biomonitoring data can generate hypotheses regarding human exposures from environmental media and consumer products. To ensure that such comparisons are scientifically meaningful, it is essential to first evaluate aspects of the surveys' methods that can impact comparability of data. We examined CHMS and NHANES methodologies, using bisphenol A (BPA) as a case study, to evaluate whether survey differences exist that would hinder our ability to compare chemical concentrations between countries. We explored methods associated with participant selection, urine sampling, and analytical methods. BPA intakes were also estimated to address body weight differences between countries. Differences in survey methods were identified but are unlikely to have substantial impacts on inter-survey comparisons of BPA intakes. BPA intakes for both countries are below health-based guidance values set by the US, Canada and the European Food Safety Authority. We recommend that before comparing biomonitoring data between surveys, a thorough review of methodologic aspects that might impact biomonitoring results be conducted.

Background: The immigrant population in Canada is diverse and growing, yet little is known about their physical activity behaviour and how it changes as they adapt to a Canadian lifestyle. This study extends the surveillance of physical activity in Canada to include the influence of time since immigration within and between ethnic groups. Methods: Pooled data from cycles 1.1 (2000/01) and 2.1 (2003) of the cross-sectional Canadian Community Health Survey (ages 20-64 y; N=171,513) were used for this study. Weighted prevalences of self-reported leisure-time physical activity (≥3 kcal. kg-1. day-1 (kkd)) were calculated, and unadjusted and adjusted (age, income, education, BMI) multiple logistic regression models were used to quantify the odds of being physically active (PA) (≥3 kkd) by time since immigration (recent immigrant ≤10 yrs, immigrant >10 yrs, non-immigrant) within and between ethnic groups (White referent group). Results: The prevalence of recent immigrants (≤10 yrs) being PA (≥3 kkd) by ethnicity was: White (21%), Other (19%), Black (19%), Latin American (17%), West Asian/Arab (16%), East/Southeast Asian (14%), South Asian (11%). Recent immigrant Black men and White women had the highest prevalence of being PA (M=27%, F=18%) while South Asian men and women had the lowest prevalence (M=14%, F=9%). There is a gradient in the prevalence of being PA with recent immigrants (16%) < immigrants (20%) < nonimmigrants (24%). Ethnic differences in the prevalence of being PA by time since immigration show similar patterns for men and women. Controlling for age, income, education and BMI had only small effects on the odds of being physical active across ethnicities and immigrant status. Conclusion: These results suggest that physical activity levels vary according to immigrant status and self-ascribed ethnicity in Canadian adults. Strategies to promote physical activity and prevent physical inactivity should consider both ethnicity and time since immigration.

Background: A large proportion of the Canadian population lives a sedentary lifestyle. Few data are available describing the physical activity behaviours among specific ethnic groups in Canada, so the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between ethnicity and the level of self-reported physical activity. Methods: Pooled data from cycles 1.1 (2000/01) and 2.1 (2003) of the cross-sectional Canadian Community Health Survey (ages 20-64 yrs; N=171,513) were used for this study. Weighted prevalences of self-reported leisure-time moderate (≥1.5 kcal. kg-1. day-1 (kkd)); moderate to high (≥3 kkd) and high physical activity (≥6 kkd) were calculated, and multiple logistic regression models were used to quantify the odds of being physically active across ethnic groups, after adjustment for several covariates (White referent group). Results: The rank order of prevalence of being moderately physically active by ethnicity was: White (49%), Other (48%), NA Aboriginal (47%), Latin American (40%), East/Southeast Asian (39%), Black (38%), West Asian/Arab (36%), South Asian (34%). Aboriginal men and women had the highest prevalences of being physically active at ≥3 kkd (M=32%, F=22%) while East/Southeast Asian (19%) and East Asian/Arab men (19%), and South Asian women (12%) had the lowest prevalences. After accounting for covariates, Aboriginal men were at elevated odds of being physically active compared to Whites (≥3 kkd, OR=1.6, p<0.05; ≥6 kkd, OR=2.7, p<0.05). Only 7% and 3% of Canadian men and women, respectively, were active at ≥6 kkd. Conclusion: These results suggest that the prevalence of physically active Canadian adults varies by ethnicity. Strategies to promote physical activity and prevent physical inactivity should consider these findings.

The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of Canadian adults (aged 18-55 years) who met the guidelines for moderate and vigorous physical activity set out in Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living. Leisure-time physical activity energy expenditure from moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities was calculated using data from the National Population Health Surveys (1994-1998) and the Canadian Community Health Surveys (2001-2007). The prevalence was estimated for no leisure-time physical activity, meeting only the moderate guideline, meeting both the moderate and vigorous guidelines, and meeting the guidelines through a combination of moderate and vigorous activities. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds of meeting the guidelines by various demographic characteristics. The prevalence of no activity did not change appreciably over time, ranging from 6.5% to 10%, depending on the survey year. Reporting of no activity was more prevalent among older adults, those in lower income groups, and those with a body mass index (BMI) > or =30 kg.m-2. Overall, 65% of adults met the guidelines for physical activity in 2007, which has increased from 54% in 1994-1995. Men, younger adults, those with a higher income, and those with a lower BMI more often met the guidelines. Among all subgroups, meeting the guidelines was most often accomplished through participation in moderate-intensity activities. These findings should be considered when designing and implementing public health interventions that promote participation in daily physical activity.