Repository logo
 

Levels of domain-specific physical activity at work, in the household, for travel and for leisure among 327 789 adults from 104 countries.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

No Thumbnail Available

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the country-level absolute and relative contributions of physical activity at work and in the household, for travel, and during leisure-time to total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). METHODS: We used data collected between 2002 and 2019 from 327 789 participants across 104 countries and territories (n=24 low, n=34 lower-middle, n=30 upper-middle, n=16 high-income) from all six World Health Organization (WHO) regions. We calculated mean min/week of work/household, travel and leisure MVPA and compared their relative contributions to total MVPA using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire data. We compared patterns by country, sex and age group (25-44 and 45-64 years). RESULTS: Mean MVPA in work/household, travel and leisure domains across the 104 countries was 950 (IQR 618-1198), 327 (190-405) and 104 (51-131) min/week, respectively. Corresponding relative contributions to total MVPA were 52% (IQR 44%-63%), 36% (25%-45%) and 12% (4%-15%), respectively. Work/household was the highest contributor in 80 countries; travel in 23; leisure in just one. In both absolute and relative terms, low-income countries tended to show higher work/household (1233 min/week, 57%) and lower leisure MVPA levels (72 min/week, 4%). Travel MVPA duration was higher in low-income countries but there was no obvious pattern in the relative contributions. Women tended to have relatively less work/household and more travel MVPA; age groups were generally similar. CONCLUSION: In the largest domain-specific physical activity study to date, we found considerable country-level variation in how MVPA is accumulated. Such information is essential to inform national and global policy and future investments to provide opportunities to be active, accounting for country context.

Description

Keywords

epidemiology, physical activity, surveillance, Activities of Daily Living, Adult, Age Factors, Exercise, Female, Humans, Leisure Activities, Male, Middle Aged, Sex Factors, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors, Travel, Work

Journal Title

Br J Sports Med

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0306-3674
1473-0480

Volume Title

54

Publisher

BMJ

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_12015/3)
MRC (MC_UU_00006/4)
Medical Research Council (MR/P024408/1)
TS, KW, and SB are all funded by MRC programme grant (MC_UU_12015/3). LG was supported by TIGTHAT, an MRC Global Challenges Project (MR/P024408/1).