Internet use for health information and its association with awareness of and compliance with physical activity guidelines among U.S. adults, 2009

Background: With the widespread availability of internet access in the United States, it is increasingly used as a medium through which health information is obtained. Purpose: This study aimed to assess whether internet use for health information (IUHI) among adults in the United States is associated with increased awareness of and compliance with national physical activity (PA) guidelines. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 2009 HealthStyles, a mailed population-based survey of adults ≥18 years old. We assessed the effect of IUHI on recall of PA guidelines and self-reported PA level using multivariate logistical regression, controlling for key sociodemographic variables. Results: Analysis of 3910 respondents found that 49% used the internet for health information. IUHI was significantly associated in bivariate modeling with awareness of (OR=1.44, 95%CI=1.16¨C1.79) and compliance with (OR=1.25, 95%CI=1.03¨C1.52) PA recommendations. Multivariate modeling did not find IUHI to be significant, though sex, age, and education were independently associated with both PA outcomes. However, education was found to be an effect modifier; IUHI was negatively associated with awareness of and compliance with PA guidelines for individuals without any college education (aOR=0.62, 95%CI=0.41¨C0.92 and aOR=0.64, 95%CI=0.43¨C0.96, respectively). For individuals with some college education, associations between IUHI and both PA outcomes were positive though not statistically significant.