Citation

Swanson KC, McCormack GR. J. Phys. Act. Health 2012; 9(3): 352-359.

Affiliation

Population Health Intervention Research Centre, University of Calgary, Alberta, Calgary, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21934155

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the relative contributions of physical activity (PA) and driving behaviour on weight status is limited. This study examined the associations between driving and PA behaviour and weight status among Canadian adults. METHODS: A random cross-section of Calgarian adults (n=1026) completed a telephone-interview and a self-administered questionnaire. Weekly physical activity time, daily driving time, BMI, motor vehicle access, and demographic characteristics were captured. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between driving minutes (0-209; 219-419; 420-839; 840-1679, and; ≥ 1680 min/week), motor vehicle access, sufficient PA (210 min/week of moderate-intensity or 90 min/week of vigorous-intensity) and the likelihood of being: 1) overweight/obese vs. healthy weight, and; 2) obese only vs. healthy/overweight. RESULTS: Compared with driving ≤209 min/week, driving 840-1679 min/week significantly (p<0.05) increased the likelihood of being overweight/obese (OR 2.08). Insufficient PA was positively associated with being overweight/obese (OR 1.43). Each hour/week of driving was associated with a 1.6% reduction in the odds of achieving sufficient PA. A three-fold increase (OR 3.73) in the likelihood of overweight was found among insufficiently active individuals who drove 210-419 min/week compared with sufficiently active individuals who drove ≤209 min/week. CONCLUSION: Interventions that decrease driving time and increase PA participation may be important for reducing weight among Canadian adults.

Language: en