Modifying effects of sex, age, and education on 22-year trajectory of leisure-time physical activity in a Canadian cohort.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the population trajectory of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in adults age 18 to 60 y (n = 881), who were recruited in 1981 for the Canada Fitness Survey and followed-up through the Campbell's Survey on Well-Being (1988) and the Physical Activity Longitudinal Study (2002/04).


METHODS
Data on involvement in LTPA were collected by questionnaire and used to estimate average daily energy expenditure (EE) (kcal . kg-1 . d-1) during leisure time. Growth trajectory modeling was used to describe the overall population trajectory of LTPA and the extent to which average trajectories varied between sub-groups defined by age, sex, and education.


RESULTS
The population trajectory of LTPA over time was modified by baseline age, but not by sex or by level of education. Disparities in LTPA related to sex and education persisted over two decades.


CONCLUSIONS
This longitudinal investigation improves our understanding of the processes underlying patterns of LTPA in adults.
Barnett
Tracie A
TA
Dept of Social and Preventive Medicine, Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire de Sante, Université de Montréal, Montreal, PQ H3C 3J7.
Gauvin
Lise
L
Craig
Cora L
CL
Katzmarzyk
Peter T
PT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors