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Seasonal Variation in Leisure-time Physical Activity Among Canadians

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Abstract

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is higher in winter than summer, particularly in cold climates. Physical activity reduces CVD risk but climate impacts participation in physical activity. Canada has substantial climatic variation but its relation with physical activity is understudied. In this investigation, we evaluated the relation between seasonality and physical activity among Canadians.

Methods

We used public domain data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2 (CCHS 2.2), a representative, cross-sectional sample of free-living Canadians in 2004. Leisure-time physical activity was measured using a modified version of the Physical Activity Monitor that was validated. Season was determined by the time of the interview, i.e., Winter: January 1 to March 31, Spring: April 1 to June 30, Summer: July 1 to September 30, and Fall: October 1 to December 31. In all multivariate models, we adjusted for age, sex, education, and income adequacy.

Results

There were 20,197 persons aged 19 years and older in this analysis. In the winter, 64% of Canadians were inactive as compared with 49% in the summer. Total average daily energy expenditure was 31.0% higher in summer than winter after multivariate adjustment. Leisure-time physical activity was 86% more likely in the summer than winter (multivariate OR=1.86, 95% CI 1.40, 2.45). The relation between seasonality and physical activity was weakest in Newfoundland and Labrador and stronger in Saskatchewan and British Columbia (p-value for interaction=0.02).

Interpretation

Seasonality impacts physical activity patterns in Canada and varies across the provinces. This needs to be considered in physical activity programming.

Résumé

Contexte

La mortalité due aux maladies cardiovasculaires (MCV) est plus élevée l’hiver que l’été, surtout sous les climats froids. L’activité physique réduit le risque de MCV, mais le climat a une incidence sur la participation à l’activité physique. Il existe des variations climatiques importantes au Canada, mais leurs liens avec l’activité physique n’ont pas été suffisamment étudiés. Dans cette étude, nous avons analysé la relation entre les cycles saisonniers et l’activité physique dans la population canadienne.

Méthode

Nous avons utilisé les données du domaine public de L’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes, cycle 2.2 (ESCC 2.2), soit un échantillon représentatif transversal de Canadiens en milieu naturel en 2004. Nous avons mesuré l’activité physique durant les loisirs à l’aide d’une version modifiée et validée du Sondage indicateur de l’activité physique. La saison a été déterminée selon le moment des entretiens: l’hiver du 1er janvier au 31 mars, le printemps du 1er avril au 30 juin, l’été du 1er juillet au 30 septembre, et l’automne du 1er octobre au 31 décembre. Dans tous nos modèles à plusieurs variables, nous avons apporté les ajustements nécessaires selon l’âge, le sexe, le revenu (adéquat ou non adéquat) et l’instruction.

Résultats

Notre analyse a porté sur 20 197 personnes de 19 ans et plus. L’hiver, 64 % des Canadiens étaient sédentaires, contre 49 % l’été. La force dépensée quotidiennement était en moyenne de 31 % plus élevée l’été que l’hiver, après l’apport des ajustements nécessaires. L’activité physique durant les loisirs était plus courante l’été que l’hiver, dans une proportion de 86 % (RC multivarié=1,86, IC de 95 %=1,40-2,45). Nous avons observé la relation la plus faible entre les cycles saisonniers et l’activité physique à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador et la relation la plus forte en Saskatchewan et en Colombie-Britannique (valeur prédictive d’interaction=0,02).

Interprétation

Les cycles saisonniers influent sur les habitudes d’activité physique au Canada, et cette influence varie d’une province à l’autre. Ce sont des aspects dont il faudrait tenir compte dans les programmes d’activité physique.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, L8L 2X2, Canada

    Anwar T. Merchant DMD, ScD & Noori Akhtar-Danesh PhD

  2. Department of Medicine and Hamilton General Hospital, McMaster University, Canada

    Mahshid Dehghan PhD

  3. School of Nursing, McMaster University, Canada

    Noori Akhtar-Danesh PhD

Authors
  1. Anwar T. Merchant DMD, ScD
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  2. Mahshid Dehghan PhD
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  3. Noori Akhtar-Danesh PhD
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Correspondence to Anwar T. Merchant DMD, ScD.

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Merchant, A.T., Dehghan, M. & Akhtar-Danesh, N. Seasonal Variation in Leisure-time Physical Activity Among Canadians. Can J Public Health 98, 203–208 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403713

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