1997 Alberta Survey on Physical Activity

John C. Spence, Ph.D., Pauline P. L. Poon, M.A. & W.K. Mummery, Ph.D.

Introduction
The Surgeon General's report on physical activity and health (U.S. Department of Human Services, 1996) and a recent consensus statement on physical activity (Bouchard, Shephard, & Stephans, 1994) identify sedentary living as a modifiable risk factor for several chronic diseases (e.g., coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.).  These proclamations have stimulated interest about the physical activity status of the Canadian population (Federal-Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Fitness and Recreation, 1997).

The Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) is an excellent source of information on the physical activity status of Canadians.  Over the years, the CFLRI has conducted internationally recognized surveys such as the Canada Fitness Survey (Stephens, Craig, & Ferris, 1986), the Campbell's Survey on Well-Being (Stephens & Craig, 1990), and the recent Physical Activity Monitor (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, 1996a).  Among the key findings from the CFLRI are that the percentage of Canadians over 18 who are physically active has increased by about 1% every year, from 21% in 1981 to 37% by 1995.

While the CFLRI conducts sound representative studies at a national level, these surveys are not generally designed to provide representative provincial samples.  The Alberta Centre for Well-Being (ACFWB) plays a similar role to the CFLRI in monitoring physical activity status at the provincial level.  Data from a 1995 survey (Spence, Mummery, & Poon, 1997) indicate that 51% of Albertans were moderately active and that physical activity rates were moderated by age, household income, and education level.  As part of our mandate to provide continuous monitoring of physical activity status of Albertans, a similar survey was conducted in 1997.

Method
The survey included three separate samples drawn to represent the city of Edmonton, the city of Calgary, and the remainder of the province.  The sample included persons 18 years and older who were living in a dwelling in Alberta and who could be reached by direct dialling at the time of the survey.  Nursing homes and temporary residences were not included in the sample.  Respondents were contacted using the technique of random-digit-dialling.  The survey took place over a period of two months from December 1996 to January 1997.

A total of 1206 Alberta adults aged 18 years and over were sampled for this study.  The response rate (households responding vs. total number of valid households) was 62%.  A random sample of this size is considered accurate within +/-3%, 19 times out of 20.  Further subdivisions of the data however do not necessarily reflect the selected subgroups of the population.  Therefore, caution must be taken in generalizing the findings to the population as a whole.  Results from age and gender breakdowns for the entire province, Edmonton, Calgary, and Other regions in Alberta adequately reflect the population segments.  All other response categories are limited to representing respondents.

The questionnaire was administered by the Population Research Laboratory at the University of Alberta as part of their annual Alberta Survey.  Along with demographic information, pertinent questions were asked about current leisure-time physical activity, past activity, and intentions about future activity.  Also, respondents were asked about frequency of aerobic exercise participation, perceived benefits of exercise, and perceived barriers to maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

Findings in Brief 
Results are presented in brief for the province of Alberta by region, household income, and education level.  Comparison data from 1995 are also provided from both provincial (Spence, Mummery, & Poon, 1997; ACFWB) and national surveys (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, 1996a; CFLRI).

• Fifty-five percent of Albertans report current physical activity (more than 20 minutes per session, 3 or more times per week, moderate intensity) (Table 1).  Forty-nine percent of Albertans report being physically active for at least the past six months.
• Reported physical activity rates are up 3.8 percentage points compared to the 1995 survey.
• Of those Albertans who report not being currently active, 40% were physically active within the previous 6 months.
• Overall, 27% of Albertans are sedentary (i.e., currently not physically active or within past 6 months).
• Time, health limitations and psychological issues are the three biggest perceived barriers to physical activity, with time being the most common barrier.
• Older Albertans seem to be getting the message about being more active (Figure 1).  Since 1995, there has been a significant increase in reported physical activity among those 65 years or older (40.5% vs. 59.2%).
• The wealthier and more educated Albertans are, the more likely they are to be physically active (see Tables 2 & 3).  Thus, social economic status (SES) appears to be a moderator of physical activity.

 

 
 

 
* Participating in regular physical activity or exercise means doing some activity in your spare time, 3 or more times per week, for 20 minutes or more each time, at a level that causes your breathing to be a lot faster, but where talking is still possible.
# Proportion of Canadians reporting being active at least every other day (no minimum intensity requirement). CFLRI (1996b).

                 Figure 1.  Reported Physical Activity (%) By Age (yrs)

Summary

Apart from sampling error, the differences in self-reported physical activity from 1995 to 1997 may be due to the fact that Albertans are getting the message about adopting a healthy, active lifestyle.  Seniors in particular have received the message and are reporting a huge increase in physical activity.  Preliminary analysis seems to indicate that while physical activity rates are up, aerobic exercise rates are down.  Thus a shift from exercise to active living may be occurring in Alberta.
  

References

1.  Bouchard, C., Shephard, R. J., & Stephens, T. (1994). Physical activity, fitness, and health: International proceedings and consensus statement. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.

2.  Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (1996a). How active are Canadians, Progress in Prevention, Bulletin No. 1. Ottawa: Authors.

3.  Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (1996b). Patterns of physical activity, Progress in Prevention, Bulletin No. 2. Ottawa: Authors.

4.  Federal-Provincial/Territorial Advisory Committee on Fitness and Recreation. (1997). Physical inactivity: A framework for action. Ottawa: Fitness/Active Living Unit, Health Canada.

5.  Spence, J. C., Mummery, W. K., & Poon, P. (1997). 1995 Alberta Survey on Physical Activity: Executive summary. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Centre for Well-Being.

6.  Stephens, T., & Craig, C. L. (1990). The well-being of Canadians: Highlights of the 1988 Campbell's Survey. Ottawa: Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute.

7.  Stephens, T., Craig, C. L., & Ferris, B. F. (1986). Adult physical activity in Canada: Findings from the Canada Fitness Survey I. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 77, 285-290.

8.  U.S. Department of Human Services (1996). Physical activity and health: A report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.    

For more information
Alberta Centre for Active Living
3rd Floor, 11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 3K6
Phone: 780-427-6949
E-mail: