Association between levels of physical activity and poor self-rated health in Korean adults: The Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2005

Han, M.A.; Kim, K.S.; Park, J.; Kang, M.G.; Ryu, S.Y.

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2009.08.005

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Volume 123, Issue 10 , Pages 665-669, October 2009

Association between levels of physical activity and poor self-rated health in Korean adults: The Third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2005

M.A. Han
- National Cancer Control Research Institute, National Cancer Centre, Goyang, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
K.S. Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
J. Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Research Centre for Resistant Cells, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
M.G. Kang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
S.Y. Ryu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Research Centre for Resistant Cells, Chosun University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Corresponding author. Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, 375 Seoseok-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-759, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 62 230 6484; fax: +82 62 225 8293.

Received 12 March 2009; received in revised form 13 August 2009; accepted 23 August 2009. published online 26 October 2009.

Summary

Objective

To investigate the association between level of physical activity and poor self-rated health in Korean adults.

Study design

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 7,800 adults aged ≥19 years who completed the Health Interview and the Health Behavior Surveys, issued during the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005).

Methods

The association between self-rated health and physical activity was tested using Chi-squared test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios of poor self-rated health for different levels of physical activity after adjusting for physical and chronic medical conditions.

Results

The prevalence of poor self-rated health was significantly lower as the level of physical activity increased, and odds ratios for poor self-rated health were significantly lower for higher levels of physical activity after adjusting for age, marital status, educational status, smoking, alcohol consumption, and the number of physical impairments and chronic medical conditions. The association was similar in different age groups and among healthy respondents and respondents with physical impairments or chronic medical conditions.

Conclusions

Physical activity was positively associated with self-rated health in Koreans. The independent association between a lower level of physical activity and poor self-rated health supports public health programmes that encourage regular physical activity.

Keywords: Adult, Chronic disease, Cross-sectional studies, Exercise