Physical activity behaviours of adults in the Greater Green Triangle region of rural Australia.
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.
Vaughan
Clare
C
Greater Health, Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, Flinders and Deakin Universities, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. clare.vaughan@greaterhealth.org
Kilkkinen
Annamari
A
Philpot
Benjamin
B
Brooks
Joanne
J
Schoo
Adrian
A
Laatikainen
Tiina
T
Chapman
Anna
A
Janus
Edward D
ED
Dunbar
James A
JA
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