Abstract

        In this report we profile Canada's population, the total, women, and men, according to their level of physical activity. The focus is on the number of exercise episodes per month lasting 15 or more minutes, in 2002.

        Only 10% of the population reported no active episodes, while 36% reported 30 or more. Residents of British Columbia were most active with only 6% reporting no episodes, and 42% 30 or more. Residents of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec were least active, with 12% to 13% reporting no episodes.

        Women and men differ little in their activity rates, though there are some big differences among subpopulations. For example, 43% of women in Alberta report 30 or more episodes, compared with 35% of men.

        The percentage inactive increases with age, from 3% of teens to 36% of seniors age 80 or more. The inactive rate is higher for women than men in the age groups under 40, and 55 to 59 and higher, but lower for the middle age groups.

        Turning to human capital factors, activity rates vary little by educational attainment, and worship frequency, but more by religious affiliation. The highly active rate (30 or more episodes) is highest among Lutherans followed by Presbyterians, 39% to 42%, and lowest among Jehovah's Witnesses and French Catholics, (29% to 32%).

        Those who consider their physical health to be excellent are much more likely to be very active than those who report "fair" or "poor" health - 46% versus 25% have 30 or more episodes. Similar results appear for adults classified by their perceived mental health: 40% of those reporting "excellent" are highly active; and 28% "fair" or "poor".

        There are wide differences in the activity rates of the population classified by diagnosed chronic illness (more than one may have been reported). The variation is greatest with respect to inactivity rates - only 9% of those with allergies, and 10% with migraines, but 23% of those with heart disease, and 22% with bronchitis.

        Those who consider themselves to be excellent in handling day-to-day problems are far more likely to be highly active than those who report a "fair" or "poor" ability - 40% versus 28%. The rates of women and men are similar.

        The more likely one is to cope with stress in some positive ways, by trying to solve the problem, talking to others, or by jogging or exercise, the more likely one is to be highly active. This relationship is not observed, however, for dealing with stress by praying or seeking spiritual help.

        Conversely, the more likely one is to cope with stress in some negative ways, by smoking, drinking or eating more for example, the less likely one is to be highly active. No relationship is to be observed with the frequency of blaming oneself - this could be positive of course if one deserves the blame.

        The tables show many other relationships with rates of inactivity and high activity, for example, with drinking and intoxication, use of illicit drugs, gambling, obesity, income levels, occupation, and perceptions of being at peace, loved, and useful.

        The number of exercise episodes per month (natural log) is related to the age of the respondent, sex, education, worship frequency, marijuana use, hour of sleep, and region of residence. The estimates are presented for 24 subpopulations, including men and women, parents, the employed, and faith groups.

        For several subpopulations the associations of exercise episodes is positive with education, worship frequency, marijuana use, and sleep; and negative with age.