Quebec

Physical activity profile

• As many as 62% of Quebecers are insufficiently active for optimal health benefits.* (Canadian Community Health Survey, 2000/01)
  
  
• Physical inactivity declined significantly since the early 1990s, going from 67% in 1994 to 62% in 2000/01. (CCHS, 2000/01)

* In their analyses of physical activity levels in Quebec, based on the "Enquête québécoise sur l'activité physique et la santé," Kino-Québec and Santé Québec generally publish different estimates than those of the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) because of different polling and analytical methods:

• the Quebec survey's statistics include physical activity as a means of transportation as well as a leisure activity;
  
  
• CCHS uses a cut point of less than 1.5 KKD for the recommended level of physical activity, compared with 2 KKD in the Quebec study. Kino-Québec and Santé Québec add other conditions to complement the 2 KKD criterion: the activity must occur at least 4 times per week for a low intensity activity (20% to 39% of maximum effort) or at least 3 times per week for medium or high level intensity activities (40% or more of maximum effort).

What about youth?

In Quebec, 63% 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 playing team sports for an hour or a half and hour running, combined with an accumulated hour of walking throughout the day (2000/01 CCHS).

Awareness of Canada's physical activity guidelines

• 49% of adults reported having heard of the Guide in the previous 12 months-the highest in all Provinces.

Beliefs about the benefits of lifestyle behaviours

• 62% strongly agreed that a healthy lifestyle contributes to long-term health benefits.

Self-reported health

• According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, aged 15 and older rate their health as very good (33%) or excellent (28%).

Healthy lifestyles

• 58% of Quebecers eat the recommended minimum of 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day.
• People in Quebec are most likely to follow the recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption.
• 26% smoke daily.

Body mass

• 32% aged 20-64 are classified as overweight having a body mass index of 25.0 to 29.9, or as obese (13%), having a body mass index of 30.0 or higher.

High blood pressure

• 25% of Quebecers aged 45+ were diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Diabetes

• 5% of Quebecers aged 20+ are diagnosed with diabetes.

Perceived control over choice to be active

• 35% of adults stated that they have complete control over their decision to be active, 25% said they had a lot of control and another 25% reported moderate control.

Barriers to physical activity

• 76% of Quebecers cite lack of time, 59% lack of energy, 37% lack of skill and 62% lack of interest or motivation.
• 27% report feeling ill at ease/uncomfortable, 60% illness and disability, 26% fear or injury and 45% due to cost.
• In Quebec, the proportions of individuals reporting feeling ill at ease and having a fear of injury were lower than in other regions.

Support for government investment

• 43% think that government should increase tax spending to provide opportunities for physical activity and 23% say that much more should be spent in this area.

Safe places to walk and bicycle

• 61% report that there are many safe places to walk in their community, including sidewalks, paths and walking trails.
• 45% report many safe places to bicycle, such as bicycle paths or lanes, and 9% report that there are none.

Trails and physical activity facilities

• Over 39% of adults report that there are many public facilities for physical activity in their communities and 30% report having many public multi-purpose trails.
  

The Institute gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Health Canada and the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council toward the Benchmarks Program. Our Quebec partner is Kino-Québec.