| British Columbia
Physical activity profile
- As many as 47% of British Columbians are insufficiently
active for optimal health benefits. (National Population Health
Survey, 1998/99)
- Physical inactivity declined significantly since the early
1990s, going from 51% in 1994 to 47% in 1998. (NPHS, 1998/99)
- The most popular physical activities for adults over 20
are:
| Walking for exercise |
76% |
| Gardening, yard work |
49 |
| Home exercise |
34 |
| Swimming |
29 |
| Social dancing |
24 |
| Bicycling |
24 |
| Jogging, running |
18 |
| Weight training |
17 |
| Golf |
14 |
| Fishing |
13 |
| Exercise classes, aerobics |
9 |
| Bowling |
8 |
| Baseball, softball |
7 |
| Tennis |
6 |
| In-line skating |
6 |
| Skating |
5 |
| Downhill skiing |
5 |
| Basketball |
5 |
| Volleyball |
4 |
| Ice hockey |
3 |
(NPHS, 1998/99)
What about youth?
- In British Columbia, 58% of youth aged 12-19 are not active
enough for optimal growth and development. For the purpose
of these analyses, the term physically inactive is equivalent
to an energy expenditure of less than three kilocalories per
kilogram of body weight per day (KKD). This level of physical
activity can be achieved by a half hour of martial arts plus
walking for a total of at least one hour throughout the day.
(1998/99 NPHS)
- The popular physical activities for youth, according to
the 1998/99 NPHS, are:
| Walking for exercise |
63% |
| Jogging, running |
57 |
| Swimming |
50 |
| Basketball |
50 |
| Bicycling |
47 |
| Social dancing |
40 |
| Home exercise |
35 |
| Weight training |
34 |
| Bowling |
33 |
| In-line skating |
33 |
| Volleyball |
32 |
| Gardening, yard work |
29 |
| Golf |
26 |
(1998/99 NPHS)
Active commuting—walking and bicycling
- In the past year, 52% of British Columbians walked
to or from work or school, or to do errands. On average, those
who walk to commute did so for 158 days and spent 40 minutes
on each occasion.
- Just 20% of British Columbians commuted by bicycle
in the past year, and they did so an average of 62 days with
each occasion lasting 37 minutes.
Stages of change: readiness to be active
- Adoption of a physically active lifestyle occurs in stages
and involves progression and regression. On average, 43% of
British Columbia adult workers are in the MAINTENANCE
stage, and 33% are in the ACTION
stage. They have taken steps to become active in the last
12 months, and they intend to stay active. The third group
(15%) are in RELAPSE. They were active at some point in the last
12 months but are no longer active.
Physical activity—barriers and benefits
- Barriers to being active—Constant
tight deadlines (42%), lack of time due to work (51%), and
roads that are too busy (33%) are preventing British Columbians
from being physically active.
- Beliefs about work-related benefits
of physical activity—Adult workers in British Columbia
believe that regular physical activity improves one’s ability
to cope and reduce stress (90%), to improve productivity (87%),
to help one to recover more quickly from minor illnesses (88%),
and to be more effective on the job, for example by improving
concentration (85%).
- Absenteeism—When asked how many
days in the last year they have been on leave away from work
because of sickness, injury, or disability, 38% of working
British Columbians said one to five days, and 38% reported
that they had taken no sick days.
- Potential influence on recruitment
and turnover—86% of working British Columbians say
that physical activity opportunities, programs, and facilities
at work influenced somewhat or not at all their decision to
accept a job working for their current employer.
When asked how much such opportunities influence them to keep
working for their current employer, 57% report somewhat or
not at all.
Support for physical activity at work
- Fitness information at work
- 34% of British Columbia workers obtain at work information
on physical activity through a fitness or health bulletin
board, a newsletter or email.
- 33% report that information on where employees can be
active is available at their place of work and 33% report
that information on how employees could be more active
is also available.
- 34% report that seminars, workshops or training programs
about physical activity and disease prevention are offered
at work.
- Soft supports for activity—For
77% of British Columbia workers, smoking has been totally
banned from the workplace, which promotes a healthy lifestyle.
In addition, 50% have dress-down days or casual dress codes,
which may encourage physical activity, 48% have flexible working
hours, and 43% have group discounts or subsidies for using
local facilities like ski hills or fitness clubs.
Residents in British Columbia are more likely than Canadians
overall to have group discounts or subsidies.
- Amenities at work to support activity—38%
of British Columbia workers have access to showers, 44% have
access to change areas or locker rooms, and 39% have access
to bicycle racks.
- Stair climbing at work—The majority
of British Columbia workers (70%) state that their workplace
has easily accessible stairs and 51% report that their workplace
has signs indicating the location of stairs.
- Occasional opportunities at work—57%
of British Columbia workers have access to recreational events
like golf tournaments at work and 32% have access to team
sports such as softball.
- Opportunities for physical activity
near work—Over half (61%) of British Columbia workers
report that there are pleasant places to walk or jog at or
near their place of work and 44% report community recreation
or other facilities for physical activity (e.g., YW/YMCA,
fitness facilities). Additionally, 37% work near playing fields
and 36% work near open spaces for ball games.
- Participation at work—Of British
Columbian residents with access to clubs, sports, or recreational
events at work, 49% reported participating in team sports,
physical activity clubs, or physical activity events like
Sneaker Day.
- Fitness facilities at work
- 27% of British Columbians have access to community facilities
like schools and gyms through their workplace.
- Fitness programs at work
- 29% of working British Columbians have programs to improve
health, physical fitness, or nutrition at their workplace.
- When fitness facilities can be used
- 96% of working British Columbians indicate that the
physical activity facilities at work can be used after
work or in the evenings,
- 94% report availability before work,
- 80% state they can be used during lunch.
Actual use of these physical activity facilities was not
measured.
- Who can access facilities?
- 90% of working British Columbians state that full-time
employees can use the equipment, facilities, and programs
available at work;
- 89% state that part-time employees can use these facilities.
- Employer attitude and support for physical
activity—32% of British Columbians say their employer
is very or extremely supportive, and 48% report that their
employer provides little or no encouragement for physical
activity. Of those having some support, 65% think that such
support actually helps them to be active.
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