A cluster analysis of patterns of objectively measured physical activity in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
The health benefits of exercise are clear. In targeting interventions it would be valuable to know whether characteristic patterns of physical activity (PA) are associated with particular population subgroups. The present study used cluster analysis to identify characteristic hourly PA patterns measured by accelerometer.


METHODS
Cross-sectional design.


METHODS
Objectively measured PA in Hong Kong adults.


METHODS
Four-day accelerometer data were collected during 2009 to 2011 for 1714 participants in Hong Kong (mean age 44?2 years, 45?9% male).


RESULTS
Two clusters were identified, one more active than the other. The ‘active cluster’ (n 480) was characterized by a routine PA pattern on weekdays and a more active and varied pattern on weekends; the other, the ‘less active cluster’ (n 1234), by a consistently low PA pattern on both weekdays and weekends with little variation from day to day. Demographic, lifestyle, PA level and health characteristics of the two clusters were compared. They differed in age, sex, smoking, income and level of PA required at work. The odds of having any chronic health conditions was lower for the active group (adjusted OR50?62, 95% CI 0?46, 0?84) but the two groups did not differ in terms of specific chronic health conditions or obesity.


CONCLUSIONS
Implications are drawn for targeting exercise promotion programmes at the population level.
FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society, School of Public Health/Department of Community Medicine, Room 5-05, 5/F William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
Paul H
PH
Lee
Ying-Ying
YY
Yu
Ian
I
McDowell
Gabriel M
GM
Leung
T H
TH
Lam
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult