Readiness to change level of physical activity in leisure time among physically inactive Danish adults

The study examined readiness to change the level of physical activity in leisure time among physically inactive adults, the sociodemographic, lifestyle-related and social factors associated with readiness to change, and finally the various kinds of help to become more physically active required by people who are ready to change and by those not ready to change.

Data were derived from the national representative Danish Health Interview Survey 2005 and included 9,160 physically inactive persons between 16 and 79 years of age. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression and multiple correspondence analysis.

In all, 52 % of the physically inactive respondents stated they were ready to change their level of physical activity. Men had higher odds of being ready to change than women. Readiness to change decreased with age and increased with increasing levels of education. Those ready to change led an active and social lifestyle characterized by considerable health-oriented engagement, while the opposite characterised those not ready to change. Those ready to change wanted help to become more physically active in the form of e.g. opportunities for physical activity at work or help and support from the family. Those not ready to change wanted help from a general practitioner or did not want help at all.

Those ready to change and those not ready to change were characterized by very different sociodemographic, lifestyle-related and social factors. This knowledge will benefit prevention initiatives and elucidates the necessity of targeting the initiatives.