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Physical activity in three regional communities in Queensland
journal contribution
posted on 2013-01-01, 00:00 authored by W Brown, N Burton, Shannon SahlqvistShannon Sahlqvist, K Heesch, K McCarthy, N Ng, J van UffelenObjective
To describe physical activity participation in three Queensland regional communities.
Design
Cross-sectional mail survey of randomly selected residents, stratified by age and sex.
Setting
Esk, Mareeba and Mount Isa.
Participants
1219 (58% women) adults, with a mean age 46.7 (standard deviation 14.7) years.
Main outcome measures
Proportion of people inactive, meeting Australian activity guidelines (a minimum of 150 min week−1 and five sessions week−1) and walking a dog daily; time spent walking and cycling for transport; location and type of recreational physical activities.
Results
Overall, 18% of respondents were inactive, with the highest proportions among women (22.3%) and older adults in Mount Isa (24.3%). The proportion meeting activity guidelines was 47%, with the lowest proportion among women in Mount Isa (40.4%). Although 63% reported owning a dog, only 22% reported walking a dog daily. Few people reported walking or cycling for transport. The most common types of activities were walking, home-based exercise, running/jogging and swimming, and the most common location was at or near home.
Conclusions
Physical activity levels were lower in these regional communities than the state average. The findings indicate a need for physical activity policy and intervention strategies targeting regional and rural areas. This could focus on women and older adults, dog walking and physical activity opportunities in or near the home.
To describe physical activity participation in three Queensland regional communities.
Design
Cross-sectional mail survey of randomly selected residents, stratified by age and sex.
Setting
Esk, Mareeba and Mount Isa.
Participants
1219 (58% women) adults, with a mean age 46.7 (standard deviation 14.7) years.
Main outcome measures
Proportion of people inactive, meeting Australian activity guidelines (a minimum of 150 min week−1 and five sessions week−1) and walking a dog daily; time spent walking and cycling for transport; location and type of recreational physical activities.
Results
Overall, 18% of respondents were inactive, with the highest proportions among women (22.3%) and older adults in Mount Isa (24.3%). The proportion meeting activity guidelines was 47%, with the lowest proportion among women in Mount Isa (40.4%). Although 63% reported owning a dog, only 22% reported walking a dog daily. Few people reported walking or cycling for transport. The most common types of activities were walking, home-based exercise, running/jogging and swimming, and the most common location was at or near home.
Conclusions
Physical activity levels were lower in these regional communities than the state average. The findings indicate a need for physical activity policy and intervention strategies targeting regional and rural areas. This could focus on women and older adults, dog walking and physical activity opportunities in or near the home.
History
Journal
Australian journal of rural healthVolume
21Issue
2Pagination
112 - 120Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing AsiaLocation
Richmond, Vic.Publisher DOI
ISSN
1440-1584Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2013, Wiley-Blackwell PublishingUsage metrics
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