Targeting physical activity promotion in general practice: characteristics of inactive patients and willingness to change.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Counselling in routine general practice to promote physical activity (PA) is advocated, but inadequate evidence is available to support this intervention, and its sustainable implementation over time is difficult. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of physically inactive adults visiting GPs and the factors associated with their willingness to change PA. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of 4317 Spanish people aged 20-80 years, selected by systematic sampling among those attending 56 public primary health care practices identified as inactive by their GPs in 2003. PA (7-day PAR), PA stage of change, health-related quality of life (SF-36), cardiovascular risk factors, and social and demographic characteristics were measured. Multivariate mixed effects ordinal logistic models were adjusted to identify factors associated with motivational readiness to change. RESULTS: At least 70% (95% CI: 67.6% to 72.8%) of patients assessed by GPs did not achieve minimal PA recommendations. In addition, 85% (95% CI: 83% to 86.3%) had at least an additional cardiovascular risk factor. Only 30% (95% CI: 25.8% to 33.5%) were prepared for or attempting a change. A younger age; retirement or work at home; higher education and social class levels; obesity; and hypertension were associated with a higher motivational readiness to change (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The overburden that would result from counselling such a high proportion of inactive primary care patients justifies a targeted strategy for PA promotion in family practice. Selection of a target population based on readiness to change, the combination of risk factors and socio-demographic characteristics of patients is suggested in order to prioritise promotion efforts.
SUBMITTER: Grandes G
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2412873 | biostudies-literature | 2008
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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