National Trends in Physical Activity Among Adults in South Korea Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2009-2021

Author:

Park Sangil1,Kim Hyeon Jin23,Kim Sunyoung4,Rhee Sang Youl25,Woo Ho Geol1,Lim Hyunjung6,Cho Wonyoung2,Yon Dong Keon27

Affiliation:

1. Department of Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

2. Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

3. Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea

4. Department of Family Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

5. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

6. Department of Medical Nutrition, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea

7. Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

Abstract

ImportanceThere is a lack of comprehensive data on the association of the COVID-19 pandemic with the prevalence of physical activity in large-scale data sets.ObjectiveTo investigate long-term trends in physical activity using information from a nationally representative survey covering 2009 to 2021.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis general population–based and repeated cross-sectional study was conducted from 2009 to 2021 using the Korea Community Health Survey, a nationally representative survey in South Korea. Data from 2009 to 2021 for 2 748 585 Korean adults were obtained through a nationwide, large-scale, serial study. Data were analyzed from December 2022 through January 2023.ExposureCOVID-19 pandemic onset.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe trend of sufficient aerobic physical activity was measured by prevalence and mean metabolic equivalent of task (MET) score based on World Health Organization physical activity guidelines and defined as 600 MET-min/wk or greater. The cross-sectional survey included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), region of residence, education level, income level, smoking status, alcohol consumption level, stress status, physical activity level, and history of diabetes, hypertension, and depression.ResultsAmong 2 748 585 Korean adults (738 934 aged 50-64 years [29.1%] and 657 560 aged ≥65 years [25.9%]; 1 178 869 males [46.4%]), the prevalence of sufficient physical activity did not change significantly during the prepandemic period (β difference, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.6 to 1.4). During the pandemic, the prevalence of sufficient physical activity decreased significantly, from 36.0% (95% CI, 35.9% to 36.1%) in 2017 to 2019 to 30.0% (95% CI, 29.8% to 30.2%) in 2020 and 29.7% (95% CI, 29.5% to 29.9%) in 2021. Trends showed decreases in the prevalence of sufficient physical activity among older adults (ages ≥65 years; β difference, −16.4; 95% CI, −17.5 to −15.3) and younger adults (ages 19 to 29 years; β difference, −16.6; 95% CI, −18.1 to −15.0) during the pandemic. In particular, the trend of sufficient physical activity declined during the pandemic in females (β difference, −16.8; 95% CI, −17.6 to −16.0), individuals in urban residences (β difference, −21.2; 95% CI, −22.2 to −20.2), healthy participants (eg, those with normal BMI, 18.5 to 22.9: β difference,−12.5; 95% CI, −13.4 to −11.7), and individuals at increased risk of stress (eg, history of a depressive episode; β difference, −13.7; 95% CI, −19.1 to −8.4). Prevalence trends in mean MET score were similar to those in the main results; total mean MET score decreased from the 2017 to 2019 period (1579.1 MET-min/wk; 95% CI, 1567.5 to 1590.7 MET-min/wk) to the 2020 to 2021 period (1191.9 MET-min/wk; 95% CI, 1182.4 to 1201.4 MET-min/wk.Conclusions and RelevanceThis cross-sectional study found that the national prevalence of physical activity was stable or consistent before the pandemic period, with a marked decrease during the pandemic, particularly among healthy individuals and subgroups at increased risk of negative outcomes, including older adults, females, urban residents, and those with depressive episodes. Future studies may be needed to evaluate the association between the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in physical activity.

Publisher

American Medical Association (AMA)

Subject

General Medicine

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3