Investigation of Physical Activity Levels in the Population of Switzerland: Association With Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Factors

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate physical activity levels of the population of Switzerland and the association of lifestyle and sociodemographic factors with physical activity levels. Methods: The association of physical activity with lifestyle and sociodemographic factors was analyzed by fitting ordinal logistic regression models, using the data of 2057 participants from the National Nutrition Survey menuCH. Results: The physical activity level of the population of Switzerland was high: less than 10% of the participants are not physically active. Factors associated with lower physical activity levels, were the sociodemographic variables, middle age [age 30–44: odds ratio = 0.53 (95% confidence interval 0.37, 0.77) and age 45–59: 0.60 (0.41, 0.89)] and higher education [tertiary level: 0.50 (0.29, 0.86)] as well as the lifestyle factors higher body mass index [obesity: 0.64 (0.45, 0.90)] and poor self-reported health status [0.68 (0.50, 0.93)]. Conclusion: To improve the physical activity level of the population of Switzerland tailored public health strategies are required that address specific groups, such as individuals in the middle age group or obese individuals.