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67–HTL Physical activity
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Definition
Rationale and notes for interpretation
Technical specifications
Data availability
Considerations for indicator quality and comparability
Responsibility to produce the data
Definition
a) Percentage of population aged 12 and over who report a physical activity index of “active”.
b) Percentage of population aged 12 and over who report a physical activity index of “inactive”.
Rationale and Notes for Interpretation
Maintaining physical activity is associated with a range of health benefits. Many studies have shown that regular physical activity confers major heart health benefits and that inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Recent evidence from the National Population Health Survey supports this conclusion, and also shows that physically active individuals are less likely to become depressed.
Technical Specifications
Exclusions: Persons living on First Nation Reserves and on Crown lands, residents of institutions, full-time members of the Canadian Armed Forces and residents of certain remote regions are excluded from the sample.
Calculation: (Numerator/denominator) x 100
The physical activity index is based on an individual’s energy expenditure (EE). EE is calculated using the frequency and duration per session of physical activity, as well as the MET (metabolic) value. The MET is the energy cost of the activity expressed as kilocalories expended per kilogram of body weight per hour of activity, doing a physical activity during the past 3 months, the number of times and time spent on each activity.
A physical activity index is calculated to determine energy expenditure values (EE) . The derived physical activity index results in the following categories:
Active: Average 3.0 +kcal/kg/day of energy, or exercise required for cardiovascular health benefit
Moderate: Average 1.5-2.9 kcal/kg/day, some health benefits but little cardiovascular
Inactive: Energy expenditure below 1.5 kcal/kg/day
Numerator:
a) Number of individuals reporting combined active (≥3.0 kcal/kg/day) and moderately active levels of physical activity (1.5-2.9 kcal/kg/day).
b) Number of individuals reporting an inactive level of physical activity (<1.5 cal/kg/day)
Denominator: Total population aged 12 and over.
Source: Canadian Community Health Survey, 2007, 2005, 2003 and 2000/2001; National Population Health Surveys (1994/1995 to 1998/1999).
Data Availability
- Crude and age-standardized data available by sex for Canada, the provinces and the territories.
Considerations for Indicator Quality and Comparability
Results should be treated with caution because a proportion of the difference may be explained by the mode by which the data was collected from the respondent (i.e., by phone or in person).
In Nunavut (2000/2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007), the CCHS collects information from the 10 largest communities: Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk are always in sample, plus one community from Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung, Igloolik or Pond Inlet is selected; plus one community from Baker Lake or Arviat. Its coverage is in the range of 71%.
2007 estimates for the Northwest Territories may not be comparable to estimates from previous years due to differences in the geographic and aboriginal/non–aboriginal distribution of the samples.
Responsibility to Produce the Data
Statistics Canada
