Original scientific paper
Physical Activity of Croatian Population: Cross-sectional Study Using International Physical Activity Questionnaire
Danijel Jurakić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4861-4066
; Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Željko Pedišić
; Depatrment of Kinesiological Anthroplogy and Methodology, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirna Andrijašević
; Department of General and Applied Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Aim To determine the physical activity level of the Croatian
population in different domains of everyday life.
Methods A random stratified sample of 1032 Croatians
aged 15 years and older was interviewed using the official
Croatian long version of the International Physical Activity
Questionnaire (IPAQ). Total physical activity and physical
activity in each of the 4 life domains – work, transport,
domestic and garden, and leisure-time – were estimated.
Physical activity was expressed as metabolic equivalenthours
per week (MET-hour/week).
Results Median total physical activity for the whole sample
was 58.2 MET-hour/week. Median physical activity in
MET-hour/week was 30.4 for work, 5.0 for transportation,
13.1 for domestic and garden, and 6.0 for leisure-time domain.
The lowest physical activity was found in the 15-24
age group (42.7 MET-hour/week) and the highest in the
55-64 age group (72.0 MET-hour/week). Multiple regression
analysis showed a significant relationship of socio-demographic
and health-related characteristics (size of settlements,
household income, educational level, age, body
mass index, self-rated physical health, and self-rated mental
health) with physical activity in all domains (P < 0.001).
Conclusion Studies on physical activity in transition countries
should include the domains of work and domestic
and garden, since if only leisure-time domain is examined,
the total physical activity level could be underestimated.
As the lowest physical activity was reported by adolescents
and young adults, strategies for increasing physical
activity in this age group should be developed.
Keywords
Energy Expenditure; Epidemiology; Exercise; Inactivity; IPAQ, Public Health; Surveillance
Hrčak ID:
38822
URI
Publication date:
15.4.2009.
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