Socio-demographic correlates of physical activity of European adults: A cross-sectional study from the European Social Survey

ABSTRACT - Background: From a public health perspective, the study of socio-demographic factors related to physical activity is important in order to identify subgroups for intervention programs. Purpose: This study also aimed to identify the prevalence and the socio-demographic correlates related with the achievement of recommended physical activity levels. Methods: Using data from the European Social Survey round 6, physical activity and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from 39278 European adults (18271 men, 21006 women), aged 18-64 years, from 28 countries in 2012. Meeting physical activity guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Results: 64.50% (63.36% men, 66.49% women) attained physical activity recommended levels. The likelihood of attaining physical activity recommendations was higher in age group of 55-64 years (men: OR=1.22, p<0.05; women: OR=1.66, p<0.001), among those who had completed high school (men: OR=1.28, p<0.01; women: OR=1.26, p<0.05), among those who lived in rural areas (men: OR=1.20, p<0.001; women: OR=1.10, p<0.05), and among those who had 3 or more people living at home (men: OR=1.40, p<0.001; women: OR=1.43, p<0.001). On the other hand, attaining physical activity recommendations was negatively associated with being unemployed (men: OR=0.70, p<0.001; women: OR=0.87, p<0.05), being a student (men: OR=0.56, p<0.001; women: OR=0.64, p<0.01), being a retired person (men: OR=0.86, p<0.05) and with having a higher household income (OR=0.80, p<0.001; women: OR=0.81, p<0.01). Conclusion: This research helped clarify that, as the promotion of physical activity is critical to sustain health and prevent disease, socio-demographic factors are important to consider when planning the increase of physical activity.RESUMO - Introdução: O estudo dos fatores sociodemográficas relacionados com a atividade física é importante, porque permite identificar subgrupos de pessoas para intervenções numa perspetiva de saúde pública. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a prevalência e os fatores sociodemográficos correlacionados com o cumprimento das recomendações para a prática de atividade física. Métodos: Com dados do European Social Survey 6, a prática de atividade física e os dados sociodemográficos foram recolhidos de 39278 adultos europeus (18271 homens, 21006 mulheres), com idades entre os 18-64 anos, de 28 países, em 2012. Resultados: 64.50% (63.36% homens, 66.49% mulheres) praticavam atividade física suficiente para cumprirem as recomendações. A probabilidade de cumprirem as recomendações da atividade física era significativamente maior entre o grupo etário com 55-64 anos (homens: OR=1.22, p<0.05; mulheres: OR=1.66, p<0.001), os que tinham o ensino secundário (homens: OR=1.28, p<0.01; mulheres: OR=1.26, p<0.05), os que viviam em zonas rurais (homens: OR=1.20, p<0.001; mulheres: OR=1.10, p<0.05), e entre os que viviam com 3 ou mais pessoas (homens: OR=1.40, p<0.001; mulheres: OR=1.43, p<0.001). Por outro lado, o cumprimento das recomendações da atividade física estava negativamente relacionado com estar desempregado (homens: OR=0.70, p<0.001; mulheres: OR=0.87, p<0.05), ser estudante (homens: OR=0.56, p<0.001; mulheres: OR=0.64, p<0.01), estar reformado (homens: OR=0.86, p<0.05) e ter elevados rendimentos financeiros (homens: OR=0.80, p<0.001; mulheres: OR=0.81, p