Association of Physical Activity Levels with Space Availability and Program Participation

Abstract

Background: Appropriate levels of Physical Activity (PA) is important to promote health and reduce risk of chronic diseases. The aims of this study is to assess factors associated with health-enhancing PA, including space availability and program participation, and provide evidence for making public health programs to promote health-enhancing PA among Korean adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted in 213,458 participants (96,222 males, 117,236 females) aged 19-107 (mean 51.3) selected from South Korea, as part of the 2012 Community Health Survey (CHS). Space availability was classified by whether participants can easily find spaces for exercise. Program participation was defined by experiences of participating in any exercise programs in the past year. Prevalence of PA levels for each independent variable was examined with Chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to estimate the associations of health-enhancing PA with space availability and program participation after adjusting for all the other covariates. Results: Adults who answered that they can find spaces for exercise easily around their residence were more likely to do health-enhancing PA in both urban (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.2) and rural (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1–1.1) areas. Adults who had experiences of participation in any exercise programs managed by the local governments were more likely to do health-enhancing PA in both urban (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.7–2.4) and rural (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.4) than their counterparts. Conclusion: Residents in the regions with available space for exercise more frequently performed health-enhancing PA. Participation in exercise programs contributed to perform health-enhancing PA.