title: Physical activity behaviours of adults in the Greater Green Triangle region of rural Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess physical activity (PA) behaviours of adults in rural Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three cross-sectional surveys in the Greater Green Triangle area covering the south-east of South Australia (Limestone Coast), and south-west (Corangamite Shire) and north-west (Wimmera) of Victoria during 2004-2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1546 persons, aged 25- 74 years, randomly selected from the electoral roll.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overall PA, leisure-time PA, occupational PA, active commuting and moderate-to-vigorous PA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 80% of participants, more women than men, engaged in 30 minutes or more of daily PA. Only 30% (95% CI 26.3, 33.0) of men and 21% (95% CI 18.3, 23.9) of women did moderate-to-vigorous PA for at least 20-30 minutes four or more times a week. In leisure time, most participants were moderately active; almost one-fifth were inactive and another fifth highly active. Two-thirds of men engaged in high-level occupational PA, compared with one-sixth of women. Only 30% of participants actively commuted to work. There was a tendency for a positive association between income level and leisure-time PA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One-fifth of adults in rural Australia were inactive. While there was a high prevalence of participants who engaged in daily PA, few did so at moderate-to-vigorous intensity to achieve health benefits. As occupational PA is difficult to change, improvements in levels of PA are more likely during leisure-time and for some people by engaging in commuting PA.
authors.affiliation: Greater Health, Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, Flinders and Deakin Universities, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. clare.vaughan@greaterhealth.org
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: Annamari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kilkkinen
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Philpot
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schoo
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laatikainen
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Janus
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dunbar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology