Why have physical activity levels declined among Chinese adults? Findings from the 1991–2006 China health and nutrition surveys

Abstract

Between 1991 and 2006, average weekly physical activity among adults in China fell by 32%. This paper discusses why total and occupational physical activity levels have fallen, and models the association between the rapid decline and various dimensions of exogenous community urbanization. We hypothesize that a) physical activity levels are negatively associated with urbanization; b) urbanization domains that affect job functions and opportunities will contribute most to changes in physical activity levels; and c) these urbanization domains will be more strongly associated for men than for women because home activities account for a larger proportion of physical activity for women. To test these hypotheses, we used longitudinal data from individuals aged 18 to 55 in the 1991-2006 China Health and Nutrition Surveys. We find that physical activity declines were strongly associated with greater availability of higher educational institutions, housing infrastructure, sanitation improvements and the economic well-being of the community in which people function. These urbanization factors predict more than four-fifths of the decline in occupational physical activity over the 1991-2006 period for men and nearly two-thirds of the decline for women. They are also associated with 57% of the decline in total physical activity for men and 40% of the decline for women. Intervention strategies to promote physical activity in the workplace, at home, for transit and via exercise should be considered a major health priority in China.

Activity of daily living on non-working and working days in Polish urban society

“…Therefore, it seems that the most important factor which may affect a gradual decrease in physical activity with aging is low motivation. Global declines in physical activity have been attributed to economic development, with the subsequent increase in urbanization [24] and communication technologies [25]. This finding may be supported by an other study, in which authors have shown that the most active society are Canadian Amish, which have elected to keep most types of modern technology out of their lives [19,26].…”

Como gênero e escolaridade interagem nos padrões de inatividade física em diferentes domínios em adultos?

“…Na China, um estudo longitudinal identifi cou as mulheres como sendo mais envolvidas nas atividades domésticas, muito embora tenha ocorrido considerável redução dessa prática em ambos os gêneros, notavelmente entre elas, ao longo de 15 anos de acompanhamento 24 . O maior engajamento das mulheres nos afazeres domésticos, assim como o importante papel que desempenham na educação dos fi lhos, especialmente na fase escolar, é cultural e demanda constantes esforços físicos no ambiente domiciliar.…”

The pandemic of physical inactivity: global action for public health

“…15 That physical activity is also related to development is particularly evident and of concern in low-income and middle-income countries, where occupational, domestic, and transport-related physical activities might contribute more to overall energy expenditure than does leisure time or recreational activity. 16 Moreover, in the fourth paper in this Series, Pratt and colleagues 17 presented compelling models showing the potential eff ect of developing global information and communications technologies on physical activity.…”

“…Increasing urbanisation and rapid economic development in China have been linked to reductions in overall and occupational physical activity in adults 16,18 as well as increased television viewing in children. 19 Similarly, in Africa, rural-to-urban migration is associated with reductions in prevalence of physical activity.…”