Physical activity, sedentary time and motivation to change: an Italian survey

Abstract

Given the high levels of inactivity and sedentary lifestyle in the general population and the barriers (including motivational ones) to the practice of regular physical activity, our study aims to evaluate the physical activity levels (PAL), sitting time (SIT), and motivation to change (MTC) lifestyle in a group of volunteer adults participating in an online survey promoted in some Italian regions. From December 2022 to March 2023, 127 adults (65 men and 62 women, mean age=40.17±14.83 years), volunteers, were involved in this study. Participants were invited to complete one-time online survey. General information, anthropometric, and questionnaire measures were collected. According to inclusion criteria, four participants were excluded; here we present results for 123 subjects. Data were studied for active/inactive and gender subgroups. Finally, the PAL and SIT categories were linked to motivational data. 54.8% of the participants did not report particular pathologies. 52.8% of participants replied that they regularly exercised. 44.4% engaged in physical activity alone, while 27% did so with friends, and 23.8% with a kinesiologist. Differences were observed both in the energy expenditure due to vigorous PA and in total energy expenditure. Regarding SIT, there were no differences between genders during weekdays. All the sample presented a high percentage in contemplation status but had medium scores in preparation and maintenance status. A statistically significant difference was observed in the contemplation state: we found higher average values regarding self-efficacy and readiness to change in men. It is necessary to plan campaigns to raise awareness and monitor the population's lifestyles beginning in the first decades of adulthood, promoting healthy lifestyle education initiatives to control the risk of non-communicable diseases.