Physical inactivity in healthy, obese, and diabetic adults in Germany: An analysis of related socio-demographic variables

Linder S, Abu-Omar K, Geidl W, Messing S, Sarshar M, Reimers AK, Ziemainz H (2021)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Online publication

Publication year: 2021

Journal

PLoS ONE Public Library of Science

Book Volume: 16

Pages Range: e0246634

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246634

Abstract

Background
Adults with diabetes or obesity are more likely to be physically inactive than healthy adults.
Physical activity is essential in the management of both diseases, necessitating targeted
interventions in these groups. This study analysed physical inactivity (defined as not taking
part in leisure-time physical activity) in over 100,000 adults in Germany considering their
body mass index and the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, the relationship between specific
socio-demographic factors with physical inactivity was investigated, particularly focussing
diabetic and obese people, to refine the identification of risk-groups for targeted
interventions on physical activity promotion.

Methods
Data from 13 population-based health surveys conducted in Germany from 1997 to 2018
were used. The relevant variables extracted from these datasets were merged and
employed in the analyses. We included data from 129,886 individuals in the BMI analyses
and 58,311 individuals in the diabetes analyses. Logistic regression analyses were performed
to identify the importance of six socio-demographic variables (age, sex/gender, education,
income, employment, and migration) for the risk of physical inactivity.

Results
Obese and diabetic people reported a higher prevalence of physical inactivity than those
who were not affected. Logistic regression analyses revealed advanced age, low education
level, and low household income as risk factors for physical inactivity in all groups. A twosided
migration background and unemployment also indicated a higher probability of physical
inactivity.

Conclusion
Similar socio-demographic barriers appear to be important determinants of physical inactivity,
regardless of BMI status or the presence of diabetes. However, physical activity promoting
interventions in obese and diabetic adults should consider the specific disease-related
characteristics of these groups. A special need for target group specific physical activity programmes
in adults from ethnic minorities or of advanced age was further identified.

Authors with CRIS profile

Stephanie Linder Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports Karim Abu-Omar Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports Wolfgang Geidl Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Sven Messing Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit dem Schwerpunkt Bewegung und Gesundheit Anne Kerstin Reimers Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports Heiko Ziemainz Lehrstuhl für Sportwissenschaft mit der Ausrichtung Gesundheitsförderung/Public Health/Sozialwissenschaften des Sports

Involved external institutions

Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Linder, S., Abu-Omar, K., Geidl, W., Messing, S., Sarshar, M., Reimers, A.K., & Ziemainz, H. (2021). Physical inactivity in healthy, obese, and diabetic adults in Germany: An analysis of related socio-demographic variables. PLoS ONE, 16(2), e0246634. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246634

MLA:

Linder, Stephanie, et al. "Physical inactivity in healthy, obese, and diabetic adults in Germany: An analysis of related socio-demographic variables." PLoS ONE 16.2 (2021): e0246634.

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