The awareness and use of Canada’s physical activity guide to healthy active living

Background: With the recent release of Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living (CPAG), there is a need to identify the extent to which the population is aware of and using the guide. The purpose of this study was to report on population awareness and use of the CPAG, and secondarily to determine if demographic variables (i.e., age, sex, ethnicity, household income, educational level) moderate the awareness and use of the CPAG. Methods: In a large recreation survey, questionnaires were mailed to 10,000 randomly selected households in Alberta. A respondent from each household was self-selected based on which member, 18 years or older, would celebrate the next birthday. Two questions pertaining to the awareness and use of the CPAG were included. Results: Responses were received from 2,719 Albertans. Of those responding, 20.7% (95 % CI, 19.2-22.2) stated they were aware of the CPAG and 5.5 % (95 % CI, 4.7-6.3) had actually followed the recommendations in the guide. Gender and educational level were significant moderators of awareness and use of the CPAG. Conclusions: The implications of these findings are that the majority of the Canadian population is not aware of the CPAG. Furthermore, certain segments of the population are less aware of the guide than others. The physical, psychological, andeconomic benefits associated withphysical activity are well recog-nized.1-3 Sufficient epidemiological data exist to justify the claim that even modest participation in low intensity activities can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality in Canadians.4 Unfortunately, 62 % of Canadians are not active enough to experi-ence health benefits.5 In the fall of 1998, Health Canada in association with the Canadian Society fo