Ethnic Differences In Physical Activity In Canada

Purpose To extend the surveillance of physical activity in Canada to include prevalences by self-ascribed ethnicity. Methods Pooled data from cycles 1.1 (2000/01) and 2.1 (2003) of the cross-sectional Canadian Community Health Survey (ages 20–64 yrs; N=1 74,600) were used for this study. Weighted prevalences of self-reported leisure-time physical activity (≥3 kcal/kg/day (kkd); ≥6 kkd) were calculated, and unadjusted and adjusted (model 1: age; model 2: age, income and education) multiple logistic regression models were used to quantify the odds of being physically active (≥3 kkd; ≥6 kkd) across ethnic groups (White referent group). Results The rank order of prevalence of being physically active (> 3 kkd) by ethnicity was: Aboriginal (26%), White (23%), Other (23%), Black (19%), Latin American (19%), West Asian/ Arab (18%), South Asian (17%), East/Southeast Asian (17%). Only 5% of Canadian adults aged 20–64 yrs are active at ≥6 kkd. Aboriginal men and women had the highest prevalences of being physically active at ≥3 kkd (M=32%, F=22%). East/Southeast Asian (19%) and West Asian/Arab men (19%), and South Asian women (12%) had the lowest prevalences of being physically active at ≥3 kkd. Independent of age, household income and education, Aboriginal men were at elevated odds of being physically active compared to Whites (≥3 kkd, OR=1.5, p < 0.05; > 6 kkd, OR=2.6, p < 0.05) while South Asians, East/Southeast Asians, and West Asian/Arab men had significantly lower odds (≥3 kkd, OR=0.6–0.8, p < 0.05). South Asians, East/Southeast Asians, West Asian/Arab, and Black women were less likely to be active compared to Whites (≥3 kkd, OR=0.5–0.7, p < 0.05) after accounting for covariates. In general, living in a household with high income, having a post-secondary degree or higher, and being younger (20–34 yrs) increases the odds of being physically active. Controlling for age, income and education had only small effects on physical activity prevalences across ethnicities. Conclusion These results suggest that the prevalence of physically active Canadian adults varies by age, sex, education, income and ethnicity. Strategies to promote physical activity and prevent physical inactivity should consider these findings. Furthermore, results suggest the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among Canadian Aboriginals may not be a result of physical inactivity.