Canadian Community Health Survey: Rapid response on barriers to physical activity, 2017

The data were collected from every province from July to December 2017.

The content of this rapid response deals with potential barriers respondents may face regarding engagement in physical activity. This module does not measure the level or duration of physical activity, rather, it gauges possible environmental and perceptual influences related to participation in physical activity.

This module collects data about the respondent's environment and whether or not it is conducive to participation in physical activity. Questions about the presence of low-cost recreational facilities in the neighbourhood, showers at or near the place of work, social and financial support for the respondent's physical activities, and the physical activity of others in the community are included.

Also asked are questions about the respondent's perceptions of physical activity, such as their preference for being physically active (versus sedentary), their confidence in their ability to be physically active, and the time and energy required for physical activity.

The data collected will be used to identify some barriers that Canadians face in relation to physical activity.

The data are now available in the Research Data Centres.

The addition of these questions to the Canadian Community Health Survey was sponsored by the Public Health Agency of Canada.