title: Associations between physical activity and self-rated wellbeing in European adults: A population-based, cross-sectional study.
abstract: Although self-rated wellbeing is an indicator of health status, it has been receiving little attention; its relationship with physical activity among adults remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between physical activity and several dimensions of self-rated wellbeing in European adults. This cross-sectional study was based on data from the European Social Survey round 6, 2012, comprising 40,600 European adults (18,418 men, 22,186 women) from 27 countries, with mean age 42.1±13.3. Meeting physical activity guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Six dimensions of the self-rated wellbeing were assessed (evaluative wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, functioning, vitality, community wellbeing, supportive wellbeing). Men and women who attained physical activity recommended levels had better evaluative wellbeing (men, p=0.009; women, p<0.001), emotional wellbeing (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), functioning (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), vitality (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), supportive relationships (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001), and wellbeing total score (men, p<0.001; women, p<0.001). Physical activity frequency was linearly associated with self-rated wellbeing in the 6 dimensions as well as the wellbeing total score (p<0.001). Attaining recommended physical activity levels is related to better self-rated wellbeing, and more frequent physical activity is linearly associated with better self-rated wellbeing in its 6 dimensions.
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinar de Estudo da Performance Humana, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal; Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: amarques@fmh.ulisboa.pt.
authors.forename: Adilson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peralta
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pedagogia, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana e UIDEF, Instituto de Educação, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Avenida Dr. Silas Muguba, 1700 - Campus do Itaperi, Fortaleza, CE 60740-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Catunda
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal; William James Center for Research, Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, R. Jardim do Tabaco, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Margarida Gaspar de
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saboga Nunes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Active lifestyle; Epidemiology; Physical activity; Self-rated wellbeing