270845 Physical activity patterns and potential strategies for physical activity promotion among young and middle-aged housewives in Taiwan: Results of a nationally representative telephone survey

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 9:10 AM - 9:30 AM

Hsuei-Chen Lee, PhD , Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Jin-Jong Chen, MD, PhD , Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Wen-Yu Kuo, MS , Exercise & Health Science Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
Ning-Yueh Chen, BS , Department of Human Development and Family Studies, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
Tin-Yu Ting, PhD , Deputy Mayor, Taipei City Government, Taipei, Taiwan
Chun-Fang Chan, BS , Exercise & Health Science Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
     
Background and Objectives: Recent evidence showed that 30-35% of Taiwanese adults engaged in regular physical activity (PA), with aged 20-44 carried high risk for physical inactivity. This study aimed to investigate PA patterns and explore potential strategies for PA promotion in young and middle-aged housewives (YMHW) in Taiwan who faced life transition and housework constraints.

Methods: The Housewife Physical Activity Survey Questionnaire (HOPAQ) including demographics, PA patterns, housework burden, and demands for promoting PA was developed and administered via telephone survey to a group of YMHW aged 18-50 selected by a national multi-stage random sampling procedure. This study was granted by the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan (No. 9906006V).

Results & Conclusions: There were 2,593 YWHW surveyed, including 11.9% , 56.3%, and 31.8% with age group of 18-29, 30-39, and 40-50 respectively. 43.8% with education of college or above, 97.1% married, 67.4% with normal BMI (18.5-24), 41.5-47.6% perceived obese or unsatisfied with own body-type, 57.8% perceived good health status. The subjects were categorized into caregivers-of-disabled (CoD), caregivers-of-kids (CoK), multi-caregivers (MC), family- business manager (FBM), and pure housewives (PHW). The prevalence of engaging regular PA was 56.4%, 32.6%, 34.6%, 35.7%, and 45.8% among CoD, CoK, MC, FBM, and PHW respectively (P<.001), with 51.5% in average according to the “Trans-theoretical Model of Behavior Change”. Enhancing availability and accessibility of fitness facility along with offering respite service for caregiving were potential strategies for PA promotion. Walking, yoga, pilates, aerobic dancing, aquatic exercise were favorable exercises for those YMHW.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe PA patterns and explore potential strategies for PA promotion in young and middle-aged housewives in Taiwan

Keywords: Women, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the co-principal investigator of the research project titled as “Developing the strategies of physical activity promotion for young and middle-aged housewives in Taiwan” granted by the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Taiwan (No. 9906006V). Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies for health promotion of the elderly, disabled and their caregivers.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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