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Moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise behaviour according to the Transtheoretical Model: associations with smoking and BMI among Austrian adults

Körperliche und sportliche Aktivität in Anlehnung an das Transtheoretische Modell: Zusammenhänge mit Rauchen und BMI bei Erwachsenen in Österreich

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Summary

Introduction

Regular physical activity leads to a number of physiological benefits, such as reduced risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus and obesity. In Austria, there is little information about the prevalence of physically inactive people, as well as about who is more likely to belong to the inactive or irregularly active groups. The aim of this study is to describe the socio-demographic distributions across the stages of behavioural change for moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, according to the Transtheoretical Model, and to identify associations with smoking and body mass index (BMI).

Method

Data were collected in a standardised procedure using a self-report questionnaire from 489 adults who attended a health check in an outpatient clinic in southern Austria. Height and weight were measured by physicians. The subjects were categorised into the five stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance), separately assessed for moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity.

Results

The likelihood of being in the stage of maintenance of moderate-intensity physical activity was highest in older subjects (p < 0.05). Participants of a high educational level showed the highest likelihood of being physically active in vigorous-intensity physical activity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the lowest stages of change behaviour were associated with higher BMI levels for vigorous-intensity physical activity (p < 0.05). Smokers were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely not to perform vigorous-intensity physical activity than non-smokers.

Conclusion

Our findings contribute to a better understanding of behavioural correlates of regular physical activity. The results may prove useful for developing promotion programmes for physical activity, allowing targeting of the identified risk groups.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung

Regelmäßige körperliche Aktivität führt zu einer Reihe von physiologischen Vorteilen wie einem geringeren Risiko für koronare Herzerkrankungen, Diabetes mellitus oder Adipositas. Für Österreich fehlt es an Informationen wie groß der Anteil derjenigen ist, welche keiner körperlichen Aktivität nachgehen beziehungsweise unregelmäßig physisch aktiv sind. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, soziodemographische Faktoren zu den Stufen der Verhaltensänderungen des Transtheoretischen Modells für körperliche und sportliche Aktivität zu beschreiben und die Assoziationen zu Rauchen und BMI zu identifizieren.

Methode

Selbstberichtete Daten wurden in einem standardisiertem Verfahren mithilfe eines Fragebogens erhoben. 489 Erwachsene wurden im Rahmen einer ambulanten Gesundenuntersuchung, welche im Süden Österreichs durchgeführt wurde, befragt. Körpergröße und –gewicht wurden von ÄrztInnen abgemessen. Die TeilnehmerInnen teilte man fünf Verhaltensstufen (Absichtslosigkeit, Absichtsbildung, Vorbereitung, Handlung, Aufrechterhaltung), für körperliche und sportliche Aktivität, zu.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigten, dass ältere Personen mit größter Wahrscheinlichkeit der Stufe Aufrechterhaltung (Bewegung mit mittlerer Intensität) angehörten (p < 0,05). Personen mit höchster Bildung waren am ehesten sportlich aktiv (p < 0,05). Weiters zeigte sich, dass die niedrigste Verhaltensstufe mit einem höheren BMI im Hinblick auf sportliche Aktivität assoziiert werden konnte und RaucherInnen eher sportlich inaktiv waren als NichtraucherInnen (p < 0,05).

Schlussfolgerung

Unsere Ergebnisse tragen dazu bei, das Verhalten von Personen, welche regelmäßig körperlich aktiv sind, besser zu verstehen. Die Resultate können für Bewegungsförderungsprogramme genützt werden, um Risikogruppen gezielt zu erreichen.

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 6/I, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Franziska Großschädl MSc, BSc,  Nathalie Burkert &  Willibald J. Stronegger

  2. Institute for Sport Science, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Sylvia Titze

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  1. Franziska Großschädl MSc, BSc
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  2. Sylvia Titze
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  3. Nathalie Burkert
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  4. Willibald J. Stronegger
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Correspondence to Franziska Großschädl MSc, BSc.

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Großschädl, F., Titze, S., Burkert, N. et al. Moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise behaviour according to the Transtheoretical Model: associations with smoking and BMI among Austrian adults. Wien Klin Wochenschr 125, 270–278 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-013-0361-z

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