Differences in physical activity participation among young adults in Aotearoa New Zealand

Oliver W A Wilson; Melody Smith; Scott Duncan; Erica Hinckson; Anja Mizdrak; Justin Richards

doi:10.1186/s12889-023-15063-6

Differences in physical activity participation among young adults in Aotearoa New Zealand

BMC Public Health. 2023 Jan 23;23(1):150. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15063-6.

Authors

Oliver W A Wilson¹, Melody Smith², Scott Duncan³, Erica Hinckson³, Anja Mizdrak⁴, Justin Richards^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Te Hau Kori, Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand.
² School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, the University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
³ School of Sport and Recreation, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
⁴ Department of Public Health, University of Otago, PO Box 7343, Wellington, 6242, New Zealand.
⁵ Te Hau Kori, Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand. Justin.Richards@sportnz.org.nz.
⁶ Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, Wellington, New Zealand. Justin.Richards@sportnz.org.nz.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine socio-demographic differences in physical activity (aerobic and muscle-strengthening) among young adults (18-24 years).

Methods: Data collected between 2017-2019 as a part of Sport New Zealand's Active NZ survey were examined using logistic regression analyses to determine the odds of participants meeting aerobic, muscle-strengthening and combined physical activity recommendations. Gender, ethnicity, employment/student status, disability status, and socio-economic deprivation were included as explanatory variables in analyses.

Results: The proportion of young adults meeting recommendations varied according to physical activity type (aerobic:63.2%; strength:40.1%; combined:37.2%). Young adults not employed/studying had lower odds of meeting recommendations than those full-time employed (OR = 0.43 [0.34-0.54]). Physical activity levels differ according to gender and this intersects with ethnicity, employment/student status, and social deprivation. For example, the odds of Pasifika young adults meeting combined physical activity recommendations compared to Europeans were not different (OR = 0.95 [0.76-1.19]), but when stratified by gender the odds were significantly higher for men (OR = 1.55 [1.11-2.16]) and significantly lower for women (OR = 0.64 [0.47-0.89]. Similarly, young adults in high deprivation areas had lower odds of meeting combined physical activity recommendations than those in low deprivation areas (OR = 0.81 [0.68-0.95]), but this was mainly due to the difference among women (OR = 0.68 [0.54-0.85]) as there was no difference among men (OR = 0.97 [0.76-1.25]).

Conclusions: Intersections between socio-demographic characteristics should be considered when promoting physical activity among young adults in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly young adults not employed/studying, and young women who live in deprived areas or identify as Asian or Pasifika. Tailored approaches according to activity type for each of these groups are required.

Keywords: Disability; Ethnicity; Exercise; Gender; Health; Socio-economic status.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Exercise*
Female
Humans
Male
New Zealand
Poverty
Socioeconomic Factors
Sports*
Young Adult