The Amount of Physical Activity of Korean Adults Measured from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey

Yang, Yun Jun; Yoon, Yeong Sook; Oh, Sang Woo; Lee, Eon Sook

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The assessment of how much people exercise needs to be analyzed in order to promote their health status.
METHODS
Accordingly, 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey was performed during a two-month period beginning November 1st, 2001. Questionnaires on physical activities have been completed by 9,170 persons (88.45%) among 10,368 persons over 12 years old. We analyzed 7,838 subjects who were over 20 years old.
RESULTS
Among the total, 71.8% persons of the respondents did not work out at all. Among them, 14.9% respondents were classified as lower exercise group, 6.9% middle exercise group and 6.4% as higher exercise group. The number of middle and higher exercise groups were increased on 2001 survey compared to those in 1998. Daily walking hours were 65.8 +/- 73.6 minutes. A proper amount of exercise were performed by older age groups than those in their twenties, by town residents than villagers, by unmarried people than married or divorced or bereaved ones, by higher educated people, by people with more weight, by those who were felt less stress, and by non drinkers. Favorite exercises were walking, mountaineering, jogging and working out at a fitness club which were chosen by 62.6% of the respondents.
CONCLUSION
Many respondents did not work out at all and overall exercise rate was low. The rate of proper exercise was different by demographic features.