Moderate physical activity and its relationship to select measures of a healthy diet.
BACKGROUND
In rural communities, physical activity may influence and predict nutritional behaviors.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to determine if an individual's stage of participation in moderate physical activity was related to select measures of a healthy diet.


METHODS
Data were collected using a mail-in survey from a random sample conducted in the rural/frontier communities of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. A total of 6 communities, 2 from each state, were surveyed with approximately 575 surveys sent to each community. The response rate was 51.5%.


RESULTS
Regression analysis revealed that there was a significant difference (P < 05) in select measures of a healthy diet between those in the maintenance stage of moderate levels of physical activity (physically active for 6 months or more) and those in precontemplation (not currently active and with no intention of starting), contemplation (not currently active but considering starting within the next 6 months), and preparation (not currently active but taking steps to become active within the next 30 days). Those in maintenance had a healthier diet. Additionally, women, older people, those with at least some college education, and those who were employed had healthier diets.


CONCLUSIONS
These results lend preliminary support to the idea that moderate physical activity could act as a gateway behavior, a behavior that, if adopted, could lead to the adoption of other healthy behaviors. However, additional research is needed to confirm the nature, if any, of this relationship.
Blakely
Frank
F
Department of Health and Human Development, 105 Hoseaus Complex, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
Dunnagan
Tim
T
Haynes
George
G
Moore
Sylvia
S
Pelican
Suzanne
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007061:Idaho / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana / Q000453:epidemiology; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014959:Wyoming / Q000453:epidemiology