Leisure-Time Physical Exercise: Prevalence, Attitudinal Correlates, and Behavioral Correlates among Young Europeans from 21 Countries

Steptoe, Andrew; Wardle, Jane; Fuller, Raymond G.; Holte, Arne; Justo, João Manuel Rosado de Miranda; Sanderman, Robbert; Wichstrøm, Lars

doi:10.1006/pmed.1997.0224

Cited by 192 publications

(152 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…For several women, the value placed on exercise appeared to be greater than that placed on more general physical activity. The most frequently mentioned reason for exercising was the goal of weight-loss, also found to be predominant in several large epidemiological studies of North American, European and Australian female college students (Lowry et al, 2000;Haberman & Luffey, 1998;Steptoe et al, 1997;Leslie, et al, 1999). Payne and colleagues (2004) also found that in a survey of perceived need to exercise (n=253), the most frequently reported reasons were for physical health and weight control.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Personal Meanings, Values and Feelings Relating to Physical Activity and Exercise Participation in Female Undergraduates

et al. 2009

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Understanding was sought of the ways that female students understand and feel about physical activity and exercise participation, to inform effective and ethical intervention. Sixteen women participated in semi-structured interviews which were analysed thematically, using QSR NUD*IST 4. Physical activity and exercise proved emotive topics and meant different things to different people. Some women associated physical activity and exercise with enjoyment, or achieving their goals. Others saw exercise in particular as a duty, associated with feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Findings supported the value of promoting realistic goals, and careful choice of activities according to individual preferences.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Personal Meanings, Values and Feelings Relating to Physical Activity and Exercise Participation in Female Undergraduates

et al. 2009

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“…Genetic factors may modify the effects of physical activity on weight change and it has been suggested that a sedentary lifestyle may have an obesity-promoting effect in men with a genetic predisposition 52 . Although physical activity levels are highly variable across different countries, beliefs in their health benefits are associated with the desire for losing weight 53 and also with the idea of staying healthy, to be fit or to relieve stress. In general, the information obtained from this pan-EU survey is in accordance with the existing evidence 54 that preventing diseases and quality of life are considered as the main benefits of a healthy lifestyle concerning dietary and physical activity habits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variables independently associated with self-reported obesity in the European Union

Martínéz

Kearney

Kafatos

et al. 1999

Public Health Nutr.

147

103

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Objective: The rapid increase in obesity rates over recent years suggest that cultural and societal influences are affecting the adjustment in the energy balance equation in addition to other physiopathological or genetic determinants. Therefore, a pan-EU study was carried out to explore the influence of sociodemographic factors as well as some attitudes (smoking and exercise) on the prevalence of obesity in the adult population of all 15 member states of the EU. Design: Overall, a sample of 15 239 individuals aged 15 years and upwards in the EU completed the questionnaire. Subject selection was quota-controlled to make the sample nationally representative following a multistage stratified cluster sampling. Self-reported height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Results: From the EU average results, it can be seen that only about half of the EU population (48%) is within the normal weight range, while the obesity (BMI у30 kg m −2 ) prevalence was about 10% in the EU and the overweight prevalence was 36.6% and 25.6% among men and women, respectively. UK subjects had the highest prevalence of obesity (12%), while Italians, French and Swedes had the lowest levels of obesity (about 7%). Concerning age and social class interactions, logistic regression analysis showed that high social class and younger individuals in all groups had a lower odds ratio for obesity prevalence. People with a higher level of education are less likely to be obese, while the interaction between educational levels and obesity was different for men and women. A low participation in various leisure-time physical activities, the lack of interest (precontemplation) in being involved in exercise/physical activity and the increasing number of hours sitting down at work appear to be predictors of obesity. Single individuals were less prone to become obese than couples or widowed/divorced people. Finally, smoking status was statistically linked to the prevalence of obesity, since non-smokers or ex-smokers for more than 1 year presented a higher tendency for a BMI Ͼ30. Conclusions: This survey confirms that a priority area for health intervention aimed at preventing the development of obesity should be to increase levels of physical activity, although the approach will depend on the population, especially with respect to educational and socioeconomic aspects.

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“…This may reflect not only different beliefs about physical activity and its benefits but also the existence or absence of programmes promoting physical activity and the conditions to practice it. In Finland many programmes are longstanding and have led to beliefs and behaviour changes 13,14 whereas in Portugal physical activity promotion is relatively recent, confined to specific geographical areas and targeted at particular groups (e.g. sports for children in schools or in clubs).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity levels and body weight in a nationally representative sample in the European Union

Almeida

Graça

Afonso

et al. 1999

Public Health Nutr.

103

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Objectives: The main objectives of this pan-European study were: (1) to identify different types of physical activity and the time devoted to them, (2) to assess physical activity/inactivity at work and in leisure time, and (3) to determine self-reported body weight and height. Design and subjects: In each member state of the EU, approximately 1000 adults, aged 15 years or more, were selected to participate in an interview-assisted face-to-face questionnaire on physical activity and body weight. In each country, sample selection was quota-controlled to ensure national representativeness. Overall, 15 239 subjects in the EU completed the study. Results: On average in the EU, nearly three-quarters of the population participate in some kind of activity. In general, the highest proportions of participants were found in the Nordic countries and the lowest in the southern ones. At the European level, the five most common activities include walking, gardening, cycling, keep fit and swimming. Higher participation rates were found among men, younger subjects and those with a higher level of education. The majority of Europeans fall within the normal body mass index (BMI) range but more than one-third are overweight (31%) or obese (10%) and 11% have a BMI below 20. Conclusions: Several risk groups related to physical activity emerge from this survey: women, those with a lower level of education, older subjects, the overweight/obese and the underweight. Programmes to promote physical activity need to be tailored to the different groups identified in each country/region in order to increase adherence of non-participants and for the maintenance of those already engaged in activities.

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Leisure-Time Physical Exercise: Prevalence, Attitudinal Correlates, and Behavioral Correlates among Young Europeans from 21 Countries

Cited by 192 publications

References 32 publications

Personal Meanings, Values and Feelings Relating to Physical Activity and Exercise Participation in Female Undergraduates

Personal Meanings, Values and Feelings Relating to Physical Activity and Exercise Participation in Female Undergraduates

Variables independently associated with self-reported obesity in the European Union

Physical activity levels and body weight in a nationally representative sample in the European Union

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