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. 2008 May 22:8:172.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-172.

Targeting physical activity promotion in general practice: characteristics of inactive patients and willingness to change

Gonzalo Grandes  1 , Alvaro Sánchez, Jesús Torcal, Ricardo Ortega Sánchez-Pinilla, Kepa Lizarraga, Javier Serra; PEPAF Group
Affiliations

Targeting physical activity promotion in general practice: characteristics of inactive patients and willingness to change

Gonzalo Grandes et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Counselling in routine general practice to promote physical activity (PA) is advocated, but inadequate evidence is available to support this intervention, and its sustainable implementation over time is difficult.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of physically inactive adults visiting GPs and the factors associated with their willingness to change PA.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 4317 Spanish people aged 20-80 years, selected by systematic sampling among those attending 56 public primary health care practices identified as inactive by their GPs in 2003. PA (7-day PAR), PA stage of change, health-related quality of life (SF-36), cardiovascular risk factors, and social and demographic characteristics were measured. Multivariate mixed effects ordinal logistic models were adjusted to identify factors associated with motivational readiness to change.

Results: At least 70% (95% CI: 67.6% to 72.8%) of patients assessed by GPs did not achieve minimal PA recommendations. In addition, 85% (95% CI: 83% to 86.3%) had at least an additional cardiovascular risk factor. Only 30% (95% CI: 25.8% to 33.5%) were prepared for or attempting a change. A younger age; retirement or work at home; higher education and social class levels; obesity; and hypertension were associated with a higher motivational readiness to change (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The overburden that would result from counselling such a high proportion of inactive primary care patients justifies a targeted strategy for PA promotion in family practice. Selection of a target population based on readiness to change, the combination of risk factors and socio-demographic characteristics of patients is suggested in order to prioritise promotion efforts.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of patient recruitment and participation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Corrected prevalence of physical inactivity among 13,042 primary care patients in Spain.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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