| Abstract |
Backround: Factors of living such as unhealthy diet, inactive lifestyle and smoking
appear to play a major role in the development of various illnesses. Participation in
physical activities seems to relate with factors of living style and affect people in a
positive manner.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine whether and to what extend the factor
“physical activity” relates to the style of living and to detect any differences between
people who participate regularly in physical activities and others who maintain an
inactive lifestyle.
Methods: The population sample of this study consisted of 240 individuals aged
between 18-65 years old, permanently living in Heraklion. The sample was divided in
two groups: the Non Physical Activity group (NPA) which consisted of 127 people
that did not have any kind of physical activity and the Physical Activity group (PA)
that consisted of 113 individuals that have had regular physical activity within an
organized facility for at least 6 months during the last two years.
Results: The study included 162 women and 78 men (total of 240 people) with an
average age of 37.9 years. A statistically important difference between the two groups
is detected at the BMI (t =-2.463, p=0.016), with the NPA group presenting relatively
higher average value than the PA group (24.67 kg/m2), TA=3.867). The PA group is
having at a high percentage preventive health checkups (χ2 = 20.946, p<0.001) while
at the same time ranks high in the scale of health valuation (χ2=21.312, p< 0.001) and
physical fitness (χ2=62.619, p<0.001). Physical activity of the past is statistically
significant (χ2=32.825, p<0.001) and friendly environment also has a statistically
significant influence (χ2=16.517, p<0.001). As far as smoking is concerned, there is a
strong statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=11.936,
p<0.001) and the same occurs for the number of meals per day (χ2=26.917, p<0.001),
regular breakfasts (χ2=24.246, p<0.001) and daily water consumption (U=5895.5,
p=0.021) and coffee intake (U=5544, p<0.002). During their free time, the PA group
chooses more kinetic activities in comparison with the NPA group (χ2=17.798,
p<0.000). The NPA group has 186% higher probability to smoke than the PA group
while the probability of a high BMI is reduced by 10% for the individuals that
participate in physical activities in comparison with those who don’t (OR=0.90, 95%
CI 0.84–0.97) and finally, the probability of preventive health checkups for the people
who are systematically not physically active is 74% lower (OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.14–
0.48), than the PA group.
Conclusions: Physical Activity appears to have a double influence on people, firstly
by directly improving their health and moreover by urging them to adopt a healthier
way of living.
|
Συγχρονική μελέτη για τη φυσική δραστηριότητα και τον τρόπο ζωής
