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Physical activity of urban adults: A general population survey in Geneva

  • Section: International Comparison of Health Determinants
  • Published:
Sozial- und Präventivmedizin

Summary

Objectives

Describing the distribution of physical activity in populations is of major importance for developing public health campaigns to prevent sedentarism.

Methods

A population-based survey conducted during 1997–1999 in Geneva, Switzerland, included 3410 randomly selected men (n=1707) and women (n=1703), aged 35 to 74 years. Percentiles P10, P50, and P90 summarised the distributions of the total energy expenditure and of the percents used in moderate intensity activities (3 to 3.9 times the basal metabolism rate (BMR), e.g., normal walking, household chores), and in high and very high intensity activities (≥ 4 BMR, e.g., brisk walking, sports).

Results

The total energy expenditure (median 2929 kcal/day in men, 2212 kcal/day in women) decreased with age. Prevalence of sedentarism, defined as less than 10% of total energy expended in ≥4 BMR activities, was 57% in men and 70% in women. Men expended 12% (median) of their total energy in 3 to 3.9 BMR and 8% in ≥4 BMR activities. Corresponding percentages in women were 11% and 5%. The highest prevalence of sedentarism was in older age, women, and lower socio-economic status persons.

Conclusion

Most of Geneva population is sedentary. Promoting physical activity should target children, adults and elderly, and physical activity should target children, adults and elderly, and physical activities which would be both attractive and financially affordable by most people.

Zusammenfassung

Fragestellung

Die Beschreibung der Verteilung der körperlichen Aktivität in der Bevölkerung ist von grosser Bedeutung für die öffentliche Gesundheitspflege.

Methoden

Eine von 1997–1999 in der Schweiz durchgeführte Erhebung auf Bevölkerungsebene erfasste mit 1707 Männer und 1703 Frauen eine Zufallsstichprobe der 35- bis 74-jährigen Genfer Bevölkerung. Die 10%-, 50%- (Median) und 90%-Perzentile dienen zur Beschreibung der Verteilung des gesamten Energieverbrauchs und der Anteile davon, die für moderate Aktivitäten (z.B. normales Laufen, Haushaltsarbeiten), welche 3- bis 3,9-mal den Grundumsatz (GU) verbrauchen sowie für intensive und hochintensive Aktivitäten (≥4 GU, z.B. schnelles Laufen, Treppensteigen, Sport) aufgewendet wurden.

Ergebnisse

Der Gesamtenergieverbrauch (Median Männer 2929 kcal/Tag, Frauen 2212 kcal/Tag) sank bei beiden Geschlechtern mit zunehmendem Alter. Die Prävalenz der sitzenden Lebensweise, definiert als weniger als 10% des Gesamtenergieverbrauchs durch Aktivitäten von ≥4 GU, betrug bei den Männern 57% und bei den Frauen 70%. Die Männer verbrauchten 12% ihrer Gesamtenergie mit Aktivitäten von 3–3,9 GU und 8% mit Aktivitäten von ≥4 GU. Die entsprechenden Prävalenzen bei den Frauen betrugen 11% und 5%. Die wenigen Männer (43%) und Frauen (31%) die hochintensive Aktivitäten ausübten (Sport oder berufliche Tätigkeiten ≥6 GU), verbrauchten im Durchschnitt 15% respektive 9% ihres Gesamtenergieverbrauchs durch diese Aktivitäten. Das Alter, Geschlecht, Herkunftsland, Geburtsland und die Ausbildung sind statistisch signifikante Einflussfaktoren für die Schwere der körperlichen Aktivität.

Schlussfolgerungen

Diese Erhebung zeigt, dass der Grossteil der Genfer Erwachsenen einen sitzenden Lebensstil pflegt und wenig oder keine Energie mit intensiven oder hochintensiven Aktivitäten verbraucht.

Résumé

Objectifs

La description de la distribution de l'activité physique dans la population est d'une importance primordiale pour la santé publique.

Méthodes

En 1997–1999, à Genève, Suisse, cette enquête a inclus 1707 hommes et 1703 femmes sélectionnés au hasard dans la population générale âgée de 35 à 74 ans. Les percentiles P10, P50 (médiane) et P90 résument la distribution de l'énergie totale dépensée, et des proportions de cette énergie utilisées en activités modérées (3 à 3,9 fois le métabolisme de base (MB), ex., marche normale, activités ménagères) et en activités intenses ou très intenses (≥4 MB, ex., marche rapide, sports).

Résultats

L'énergie totale dépensée (médiane 2,929 kcal/j chez les hommes, 2,212 kcal/j chez les femmes) décroît avec l'âge. La prévalence de la sédentarité, définie comme moins de 10% de l'énergie totale dépensée dans les activités de ≥4 MB, est de 57% chez les hommes et 70% chez les femmes. Les hommes dépensent 12% de leur énergie totale dans des activités de 3–3,9 MB et 8% dans des activités de ≥4 MB. Ces prévalences sont de 11% et 5% chez les femmes. La sédentarité est encore plus fréquente chez les femmes, les personnes âgées et de bas niveau de scolarité.

Conclusions

La majorité des Genevois est sédentaire. Promouvoir l'activité physique doit cibler les enfants, les adultes et les personnes âgées, en préférant les activités simples et financièrement abordables pour tous.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division d'épidémiologie clinique, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 25 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland

    Martine S. Bernstein, Michael C. Costanza & Alfredo Morabia

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  1. Martine S. Bernstein
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  2. Michael C. Costanza
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  3. Alfredo Morabia
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Bernstein, M.S., Costanza, M.C. & Morabia, A. Physical activity of urban adults: A general population survey in Geneva. Soz Präventivmed 46, 49–59 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01318798

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