Abstract
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Background
A better understanding of factors associated with adopting leisure-time physical activity among people with chronic vascular conditions can help policy-makers and health care professionals develop strategies to promote secondary prevention among older Canadians.
Data and methods
Cross-sectional data from the 1994/1995 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), household component, and the 2007/2008 Canadian Community Health Survey were used to estimate the prevalence of inactivity. Longitudinal data from eight cycles (1994/1995 through 2008/2009) of the NPHS, household component, were used to examine the adoption of leisure-time physical activity, intentions to change health risk behaviours, and barriers to change.
Results
Over half (54%) of the population aged 40 or older were inactive during their leisure time in 2007/2008. A new vascular diagnosis was not associated with initiating leisure-time physical activity. Among the newly diagnosed, those with no disability or a mild disability had higher odds of undertaking leisure-time physical activity.
Interpretation
The majority of Canadians in mid- to late life are inactive. They tend to remain so when diagnosed with a vascular condition.
Keywords
aged, chronic disease, elderly, exercise, health promotion, lifestyle, middle age, public health, social environmnent
Findings
Inactive lifestyles have been recognized as a threat to good health and a contributor to higher health care costs and premature death. A lack of regular physical activity is associated with the development of chronic conditions including heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. Physical activity may help prevent these conditions—directly, through improved vascular health or indirectly, through mechanisms such as weight control, stress reduction and quality of sleep. The benefits extend to secondary prevention, whereby active lifestyles help those who have already developed chronic conditions limit the progress or complications of the disease. [Full Text]
Authors
Pamela Ramage-Morin (1-613-951-1760; Pamela.Ramage-Morin@statcan.gc.ca) and Julie Bernier (1-613-951-4556; Julie.Bernier@statcan.gc.ca) are with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6. Jason T. Newsom, Nathalie Huguet and Mark S. Kaplan are with Portland State University. Bentson H. McFarland is with the Oregon Health and Science University.
What is already known on this subject?
- Relatively few older Canadians attempt to improve their health through exercise or other initiatives, often citing a lack of willpower as a barrier.
- Despite some tendency for people to adopt better health risk behaviours such as smoking cessation, weight loss, dietary changes and reduced alcohol consumption when they face a new chronic condition, most individuals do not make needed changes.
- Previous research has examined changes in physical activity following diagnosis of a new chronic condition, but the evidence is inconsistent.
What does this study add?
- Among Canadians aged 40 or older, 57% of women and 52% of men were inactive in their leisure time in 2007/2008.
- A new vascular diagnosis was not associated with becoming active among people in mid- to late-life.
- Having a regular doctor (men) and living with a spouse/partner (women) were associated with adopting leisure-time physical activity.
- Among people newly diagnosed with a vascular condition, level of disability was the main factor that accounted for whether they engaged in more leisure-time physical activity.
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