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Leisure time physical activity in a hospital-based population
P Boffetta1, J Barone, E L Wynder
1Mahoney Institute for Health Maintenance, American Health Foundation, New York, NY 10017.
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is common but may be overestimated due to "wish" bias. Factors like age, education, and smoking status influence reported LTPA levels.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is crucial for health.
- Understanding LTPA epidemiology is vital for public health interventions.
- Self-reported data is commonly used but may have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in a hospital-based case-control study.
- To identify factors associated with LTPA practice.
- To explore potential biases in self-reported LTPA data.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based case-control study involving 3381 men and 1664 women.
- Data collection on self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA).
- Statistical analysis to identify associations between LTPA and demographic/behavioral factors.
Main Results:
- 51% of men and 36% of women reported lifetime LTPA; 23% of men and 22% of women reported LTPA after age 44.
- Brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and tennis were common LTPAs after age 44.
- LTPA practice was associated with age, education, smoking status, and BMI; ex-smokers reported more LTPA than current smokers.
- Very few participants reported high-frequency/long-duration LTPA (e.g., running/jogging).
Conclusions:
- Self-reported leisure time physical activity (LTPA) prevalence may be overestimated due to a "wish" bias.
- Factors such as age, education, smoking status, and BMI influence reported LTPA.
- The study highlights challenges and potential inaccuracies in using self-reported LTPA data.