Melanie J Firestone1, Stella S Yi2, Katherine F Bartley3, Donna L Eisenhower3. 1. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, USA. Electronic address: mfirestone@health.nyc.gov. 2. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, USA. 3. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of descriptive norms (i.e., behaviors of social group members) and exercising 'with a partner' or 'as a part of a group' on weekly leisure-time physical activity. METHODS: T-tests and adjusted multivariable linear models were used to test the associations between descriptive norms and exercising with a partner or as a part of a group with self-reported leisure-time physical activity using the cross-sectional, population-based New York City Physical Activity and Transit (PAT) Survey 2010-2011 (n=3806). RESULTS: Overall, 70.6% of adult New Yorkers reported having physically active friends. Having active friends was associated with increased leisure-time physical activity; however, the effect varied by sex. Compared to those who did not have active friends, males with active friends reported two times more activity (56 min/week) and women reported two and a half times more activity (35 min/week) (both p-values<0.001). Physically active males and females who usually engaged in leisure-time activities as a part of a group reported 1.4 times more activity than those who exercised alone (both p-values<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive norms and group exercise were associated with leisure-time physical activity among adults. Based on these associations, encouraging group exercise may be an effective strategy for increasing leisure-time physical activity among certain subgroups.
OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of descriptive norms (i.e., behaviors of social group members) and exercising 'with a partner' or 'as a part of a group' on weekly leisure-time physical activity. METHODS: T-tests and adjusted multivariable linear models were used to test the associations between descriptive norms and exercising with a partner or as a part of a group with self-reported leisure-time physical activity using the cross-sectional, population-based New York City Physical Activity and Transit (PAT) Survey 2010-2011 (n=3806). RESULTS: Overall, 70.6% of adult New Yorkers reported having physically active friends. Having active friends was associated with increased leisure-time physical activity; however, the effect varied by sex. Compared to those who did not have active friends, males with active friends reported two times more activity (56 min/week) and women reported two and a half times more activity (35 min/week) (both p-values<0.001). Physically active males and females who usually engaged in leisure-time activities as a part of a group reported 1.4 times more activity than those who exercised alone (both p-values<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive norms and group exercise were associated with leisure-time physical activity among adults. Based on these associations, encouraging group exercise may be an effective strategy for increasing leisure-time physical activity among certain subgroups.
Authors: Tanya K Kaufman; Andrew Rundle; Kathryn M Neckerman; Daniel M Sheehan; Gina S Lovasi; Jana A Hirsch Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2019-08 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Taishi Tsuji; Satoru Kanamori; Yasuhiro Miyaguni; Katsunori Kondo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-10 Impact factor: 3.390