ERIC Number: EJ795803
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 7
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Differences in Vigorous and Moderate Physical Activity by Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Age, Education, and Income among U.S. Adults
Seo, Dong-Chul; Torabi, Mohammad
American Journal of Health Education, v38 n3 p122-128 May-Jun 2007
Background: Inconsistent findings exist regarding correlates of physical activity (PA) in the literature. Leisure-time physical activity among U.S. adults has declined for the last decade. Purpose: This article examines differences in vigorous-intensity and moderate-intensity physical activity by gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, and income among a representative sample of U.S. adults. Methods: A total of 1,000 adults participated in a random-digit telephone survey in 2005 (62% response rate and 82% cooperation rate). Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were oversampled to produce reliable estimates for these groups. Standard errors and odds ratios were calculated utilizing SUDAAN, reflecting differential probabilities of selection. Results: After adjusting for differences in existence of a serious health problem, body mass index, marital status, employment status, and smoking status in the multivariable logistic models, none of the five demographic variables except race/ethnicity were predictive of meeting the moderate PA guideline, whereas each of the five variables was predictive of meeting the vigorous PA guideline. Discussion: Because most U.S. adults fail to meet physical activity guidelines, health practitioners must be vigilant in helping people adopt and adhere to active lifestyles. Translation to Health Education Practice: The results of this study support different approaches for different intensity levels of PA. Given the lack of evidence about the efficacy of moderate-intensity PA on reducing body weight, health educators must be cautious against providing expectation that people could lose substantial weight by engaging in moderate PA. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Ethnicity, Body Weight, Body Composition, Marital Status, Health Education, Physical Activities, Employment Level, Income, Physical Activity Level, Telephone Surveys, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Racial Differences, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Whites, Correlation, Smoking
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A