Physical activity among adults living in mainland France: analysis by region and type of activity, Esteban Study, 2014–2016

Physical activity (PA) is a protective factor against noncommunicable diseases. To maximize these health benefits, it is recommended to engage in regular moderate- or vigorous-intensity PA. Given the high proportion of adults who are insufficiently active in France, a better understanding of PA practices is a public health priority to better target prevention efforts. This study is based on a detailed analysis of data from the 2014–2016 Esteban cross-sectional survey collected using the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire (RPAQ) (n = 2,682). This article presents the results regarding PA levels among adults residing in metropolitan France, by contextual domain (transportation, work, household activities, and leisure, including sports) and by type of activity (for leisure and household activities only). During the 2014–2016 period, the total weekly duration of moderate-to-vigorous PA was significantly higher among men than among women. Men engaged in more moderate-to-vigorous PA in the domains of work, leisure, commuting to work, and household activities compared to women. PA in the area of transportation (active mobility) for commuting to work remained low (accounting for 1.2% and 0.7% of weekly PA among men and women, respectively). Regarding leisure, walking was the most common activity regardless of gender (82.6% among men and 91.6% among women). A greater diversity of leisure-time PA activities was associated with better compliance with health recommendations. These results highlight practices and levels of PA that are unevenly distributed by gender and activity domain. It appears important to promote public health policies aimed at addressing the least represented activity domains (such as active mobility), particularly among women.

Author(s): Bouchan Jérôme, Oppert Jean-Michel, Charreire Hélène, Bellicha Alice, Deschamps Valérie, Salanave Benoît, Verdot Charlotte

Publishing year: 2023

Pages: 218-229

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2023, n° 12-13, p. 218-229

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