Relationship between multiple health promoting behaviors and physical activity

Objective: There is widespread scientific and public health policy consensus that physical inactivity contributes significantly to preventable chronic disease morbidity and mortality. In the present study, the association between multiple health promoting behaviors and daily physical activity levels was examined in general adults to build the evidence base for strategies of behavioral change in physical activity. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tadami Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in 2007, and 1,772 general adults (mean age: 66.4 years) participated. The Health Promoting Profile II was used to assess the frequency of health promoting behaviors (health responsibility, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, nutrition, physical activity, stress management). Result: Only 7.4% of participants were defined as routinely physically active in their daily life. Multiple health promoting behaviors except physical activity were related to physical activity levels as well as age, smoking habits, receiving regular outpatient treatment for diabetes mellitus. On multiple logistic regression analysis, odds ratio of women and multiple health promoting behaviors were 0.47 (95% CI: 0.30-0.73) and 2.67 (95%CI: 2.24-3.20) respectively. Conclusion: There were a significant association between multiple health promoting behaviors and greater physical activity levels. Leading to accumulate individual's health promoting behaviors may help to further improve tailoring in health promotion interventions for physical activity.