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Social-ecological correlates of physical activity in kidney cancer survivors

Journal of Cancer Survivorship volume 10, pages 164–175 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies in cancer survivors have examined behavioral correlates of physical activity (PA), but no study to date has adopted a broader social-ecological framework in understanding PA. This study examined the associations among demographic, medical, social-cognitive, and environmental correlates of meeting PA guidelines among kidney cancer survivors (KCS).

Methods

All 1985 KCS diagnosed between 1996 and 2010 identified through a Canadian provincial registry were mailed a survey that consisted of medical, demographic, and social-cognitive measures, as well as PA as measured by the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. Environmental constructs were also assessed for both self-report and objective measures using geographic information systems (GIS). A series of binary logistic regression analyses were conducted in this cross-sectional study.

Results

Completed surveys with geographical information were received from 432 KCS with M age = 64.4 ± 11.1 years, 63.2 % male, and 82.2 % having localized kidney cancer. In the final multivariate model, meeting PA guidelines was associated with disease stage (OR = 0.25, p = .005), having drug therapy (OR = 3.98, p = .009), higher levels of instrumental attitudes (OR = 1.66, p = .053), higher levels of intention (OR = 1.72, p = .002), and the perceived presence of many retail shops in the neighborhood (OR = 1.37, p = .032).

Conclusions

Meeting PA guidelines in KCS were associated with various aspects of the social-ecological model.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Understanding the social-ecological correlates for PA can provide insight into future interventions designed to increase PA in KCS. Prime targets for PA promotion should consider treatment-related factors, promote the benefits of PA, and enhance positive perceptions of the built environment.

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Acknowlegments

LT is supported by a research trainee award from the Kidney Cancer Research Network of Canada (KCRNC). GEF is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Public Health Agency of Canada (CIHR-PHAC) Chair in Applied Public Health. RCP is supported by a Senior Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. RER is supported by an Investigator award from the Canadian Cancer Society. KSC is supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program. We thank Carol Russell and Lorraine Cormier from the Alberta Cancer Registry for their assistance in conducting this study.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, 55 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 2W6

    Linda Trinh & Guy E. Faulkner

  2. Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

    Kristian Larsen

  3. Department of Geography, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada

    Kristian Larsen

  4. Priority Research Center in Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia

    Ronald C. Plotnikoff

  5. School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada

    Ryan E. Rhodes

  6. Department of Medicine, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Canada

    Scott North

  7. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada

    Linda Trinh & Kerry S. Courneya

Authors
  1. Linda Trinh
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  2. Kristian Larsen
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  3. Guy E. Faulkner
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  4. Ronald C. Plotnikoff
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  5. Ryan E. Rhodes
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  6. Scott North
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  7. Kerry S. Courneya
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Correspondence to Linda Trinh.

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Trinh, L., Larsen, K., Faulkner, G.E. et al. Social-ecological correlates of physical activity in kidney cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 10, 164–175 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-015-0462-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-015-0462-y

Keywords

  • Physical activity
  • Social-ecological framework
  • Kidney cancer
  • Correlates
  • Cancer survivors