Patterns and trends in walking behaviour among Canadian adults

Regular walking is associated with many health benefits and is of particular interest for the promotion of daily physical activity. The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of walking for exercise among Canadian adults aged 18-55 years.

Nationally representative cross-sectional data from the National Population Health Survey and Canadian Community Health Survey from 1994/95 to 2007 were used for this study. The weighted and age-standardized prevalence of walking for exercise, walking duration, regular walking (at least 4 times a week) and deriving 100% of the total leisure-time physical activity energy expenditure (LTPAEE) from walking were calculated.

Overall, 70% of Canadian adults walked for exercise at least once during the previous three months; however, only 30% of the population reported walking regularly, a figure that has remained relatively stable since 2001. Women, older adults, those with lower body mass index (BMI) and those with lower total household income reported regular walking more often than their counterparts. Women, older adults and lower-income Canadians also tended to derive 100% of their total LTPAEE from walking more often than men, young adults and those in higher-income groups.

Walking is a popular physical activity for Canadian adults, regardless of age, sex, BMI or income group, however, the prevalence of regular walking varies between demographic subgroups. Public health strategies that focus on promoting walking for exercise should consider these results when defining target audiences and designing interventions.