Correlates of community-based physical activity levels: Examination of age and rural-urban differences

Purpose: This study documents age variations in physical activity levels and examines personal and environmental correlates of meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations, with separate rural-urban analyses across seven counties in Central Texas.

Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted utilizing weighted data on 4113 respondents completing a community wide health assessment recruited through random-digit dialing. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression modeling were employed to examine the independent role of environmental characteristics on PA across 7 Central Texas counties.

Results: The sample was an average of 42.7 years, half were women (49.3%); 23.7% minority; 36.4% with less than a high school education; and 29.4% low income. Only one third (31.4%) met the surgeon general's guidelines (30 minutes/5 days). Across the 7 counties, older adults – OA 61 years and older- (OR 1.96; CI: 1.61-2.39) and baby boomers- BB 42 to 60 years- (OR 1.86; CI: 1.56-2.21) were more likely to meet PA recommendations than younger adults. Age (OR 2.87 for OA and 2.67 for BB) only remained an independent correlate in the more urban counties. Similarly, for those living in the more urban environment, those in better perceived environments were less likely to meet PA recommendations (OR .73; CI: .59-.89); the opposite relationship was found for those in the more rural counties (OR 1.41: CI: 1.10-1.81).

Conclusions: Since age and environmental correlates varied by county rural-urban status, it is important to examine the influence of geographic residence in understanding factors associated with the promotion of activity-related healthy lifestyles.