[Talking or doing? Gender differences in physical activity participation in Israel at the threshold of the 21st...

The absence of physical activity is an important factor affecting illness, mortality and high costs of medical treatment in the western world. The advances in technology in the last couple of decades led to a more passive lifestyle, thereby affecting population health. Although the number of Israelis declaring regular participation in physical activity is rising, their numbers are lower in comparison to percentages in the western world. The aim of the present research is to assist in planning an incentive policy towards physical activity at leisure by mapping the popularity of this activity among an adult Jewish population both by participation and attitudes towards the subject. Data were collected in 2007 as part of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) involving face-to-face interviews. In the current sample of 18 year olds and older, 1032 interviewees were divided into groups by cluster analysis. Findings suggest that we can not relate to the population as a whole, but rather, to four different types: A. Sport in the soul--pro-sport as well as active in physical activity. B. Anti-sport--holds a negative standpoint towards sport and not active physically. C. Armchair sportsman--Holds a positive attitude towards sport, however they are not active and D. Sports as fashion--an active person who holds a neutral or negative attitude towards sport. While attempting to characterize the types by gender, the study suggests that women tend to be part of the Anti-Sport and Sports as fashion, unlike men who tend to be part of the Sport in the soul and Armchair sportsman groups. Furthermore, differences were more highly related to standpoints rather than behavior. Men hold more positive attitudes towards sport than women who participate in physical activity for instrumental reasons. Such differences can be explained by gender differences in socialization in sport. If such instrumental needs will be fulfilled by alternative means, women might reduce or will even discontinue their physical activity and the health benefits from such activity will be lacking. In order to avoid such outcomes, it is important that the main socialization agents will encourage competitive and social aspects of physical activities between both genders.