Patterns and correlates of physical activity among middle-aged employees: A population-based, cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the level, pattern and correlates (socio-demographic, lifestyle and work-related) of physical activity among middle-aged employees in Croatia. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study the data were collected using a household interview on a random sample of 766 middle-aged employees (52% female) living in Croatia. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-long) was used to assess physical activity. An additional questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, lifestyle and work-related correlates. Results: The median (95% CI) total physical activity for the whole sample was 78.7 (69.1-88.3) MET-hours/week. Most physical activity was accumulated in the domain of work (26.4 (20.3-32.5) MET-hours/week) or in domestic activities (19.2(17.8-20.7) MET-hours/week), whilst a significantly lower physical activity was found in the transport (3.3 (2.9-3.7) MET-hours/week) and leisure-time domains (6.5 (5.7-7.3) MET-hours/week). The multiple regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between educational level and the size of settlements with the domestic-related and total physical activity (β range: -0.11 to -0.22; p < 0.01). Among lifestyle correlates, only alcohol consumption was positively related to the total physical activity (β = 0.12; p < 0.01), while the perceived level of stress outside work was the only one, which was inversely associated with the work-related (β = -0.09; p < 0.01) and leisure-time physical activity (β = -0.10; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Middle-aged employees in Croatia accumulate most of their daily physical activity in the work and domestic domains. Analysis of the relationship between physical activity and potential socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work-related correlates indicated that physical activity promotional activities should be primarily focused on males, employees living in smaller settlements and those with higher educational levels. The correlates of physical activity among middle-aged employees seem to be domainspecific. Therefore, future studies in this area should consider assessing physical activity in each domain separately.

Secular trends and correlates of physical activity: The Tromsø Study 1979-2008

“…Although the cross-sectional correlates of WPA were consistent across surveys, most associations disappeared in the longitudinal analyses, which calls for further longitudinal studies on correlates of WPA. Few studies have examined correlates of WPA, and education is the only variable in previous studies that is consistently correlated with WPA [22, 31–33], showing an inverse relation to WPA in accordance with this study. One study showed that age was inversely correlated with WPA [22], similar to our findings, whereas other studies did not find any correlation between age and WPA [31, 33].…”

“…Few studies have examined correlates of WPA, and education is the only variable in previous studies that is consistently correlated with WPA [22, 31–33], showing an inverse relation to WPA in accordance with this study. One study showed that age was inversely correlated with WPA [22], similar to our findings, whereas other studies did not find any correlation between age and WPA [31, 33]. Previous studies did not find any associations between sex and WPA [22, 31, 33], in contrast to our study; however, our findings disclosed that the association with sex shifted over time.…”

“…Finally, a recent review points at social, genetic, and physical environment, such as urban planning, transportation systems, and parks and trails, as important factors for LTPA [18]. Few studies have examined correlates of WPA [22, 31–33], and the studies present somewhat inconsistent findings. Education is the only variable that is consistently and inversely correlated with WPA, whereas findings on age, sex, and BMI varies [22, 31–33].…”

Multi-instrument assessment of physical activity in female office workers

“…Furthermore, level of education and recall bias affect the calculated physical activity level and total energy expenditure of subjective methods. This idea is supported by Jurakic et al [25]. Because our participants had a higher (at least a bachelor degree) education and 9170±2377 steps/day, respectively.…”

“…Physical activity is a complex behavior, and every domain of life (work, transport, domestic and garden, and leisuretime) should be researched separately [25]. In addition, accurate and proper assessment of occupational physical activity is an important but challenging task for health and 2084±197 kcal/day, respectively), but the relationship was weak (r = 0.394, p = 0.005).…”