[Physical activity in relation to sociodemographic variables and health status of adult men and women in Amsterdam, Doetinchen and Maastricht].

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into the physical activity level of a sample of the Dutch population, to identify groups with an increased prevalence of physical inactivity and to investigate if increased moderate activity is associated with a more favourable cardiovascular risk profile and a higher self-rated health.
DESIGN: Descriptive.
METHOD: In 1993-1997 a monitoring project on risk factors and health has been carried out in a random sample of inhabitants of Doetinchem, Amsterdam and Maastricht. Using a questionnaire, information was obtained from the participants about physical activity, demographic characteristics, smoking behaviour and self-rated health. Also, height, weight and blood pressure were measured and a blood sample was taken. In this sample, the serum concentrations of total and high density lipoproteins were determined. This article concerns the activity in 1997 and the trend in activity in the period 1994-1997. In 1997, 4,029 persons, aged 20-64 years, took part.
RESULTS: In 1997 46% (n = 1864) of the study population were, on average, active in moderate activities for less than half an hour per day, and 21% (n = 831) for less than half an hour per week ('inactives'). Inactivity was most common in subjects aged 50-59 years (28%), subjects with a low educational level (38%), widowed subjects (34%) and unemployed (36%) or disabled (42%) subjects. Since 1994, the proportion of inactive subjects increased among individuals with a low level of education. Regular physical activity, whether moderate or strenuous, was associated with a more favourable risk profile and a better self-rated health.
CONCLUSION: Almost half of the persons examined were little active, which was associated with a less favourable cardiovascular risk profile and a less good self-rated health.