General practitioner advice on physical activity--who gets it?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of patients who received physical activity counseling from a general practitioner.


METHODS
Data presented are from a cross-sectional survey of approximately 2000 Queensland (Australia) adults conducted as part of a multi-strategy, community-based, physical activity intervention (10,000 Steps Rockhampton). The survey included self-reported receipt of general practitioner advice on physical activity as well as demographic, medical, and physical activity questions.


RESULTS
Receipt of advice on physical activity was reported by 24.2% of respondents, with advice more likely to be given to males, overweight/obese people, those with chronic conditions, and those more frequently visiting their general practitioners.


CONCLUSIONS
Rates of physical activity advice and characteristics of patients receiving advice are similar to those reported overseas and suggest that while there is room for improvement, general practitioners are targeting their advice to patients most in need.
Eakin
Elizabeth
E
University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. e.eakin@uq.edu.au
Brown
Wendy
W
Schofield
Grant
G
Mummery
Kerry
K
Reeves
Marina
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010821:Physicians, Family; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors