title: Lack of exercise of "moderate to vigorous" intensity in people with low levels of physical activity is a major discriminant for sociodemographic factors and morbidity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim is to examine the differences between participation at low and zero moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in relation to their trends and associations with known socio-demographic and health factors. We hypothesised that the number of people at zero MVPA level could be rising despite a parallel increase in the population meeting the recommended MVPA level. We also hypothesised that graded associations of sociodemographic and health factors exist across MVPA levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent population-based samples (n = 4320 [2004] and n = 2176 [1997]), were recruited with a stratified and random sampling procedure and interviewed at home by professional interviewers. The MVPA was assessed by validated questionnaire. The participants were classified into three MVPA levels: zero, low and recommended MVPA. The trend of each MVPA level was analysed with the standardized prevalence ratios. Correlates of low and zero MVPA levels were examined using multinomial logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The population at zero and recommended MVPA levels rose between 1997-2004 by 12% (95% CI, 5-20%) and 7% (95% CI,-4-19%) respectively, while the population at low MVPA level decreased. At zero MVPA level, associative patterns were observed with sociodemographic and health factors which were different when compared to the population at low MVPA level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the slight increase of population meeting the recommended MVPA level, a higher trend of increase was observed at zero MVPA level. Both recommended and low MPVA levels increased their participation by absorbing participants from the low MVPA level. The sociodemographic profile of those with low MVPA was more similar to the population at recommended MVPA than at zero MVPA level. Methodological implications about the combination of light and moderate-intensity PA could be derived. The prevention of decline in actual low MVPA could change the trend of increase in the population at zero MVPA level, particularly among young adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain; Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Serrano-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Directorate General of Public Health, Canary Island Health Service, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bello-Luján
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Health Care, Canary Islands Health Service, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Auyanet-Batista
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinic Pathobiology, University Hospital Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fernández-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Matemathics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: González-Henríquez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors