Physical activity behaviours of adults in the Greater Green Triangle region of rural Australia

Objective: To assess physical activity (PA) behaviours of adults in rural Australia. Design and setting: Three cross‐sectional surveys in the Greater Green Triangle area covering the south‐east of South Australia (Limestone Coast), and south‐west (Corangamite Shire) and north‐west (Wimmera) of Victoria during 2004–2006. Participants: A total of 1546 persons, aged 25– 74 years, randomly selected from the electoral roll. Main outcome measures: Overall PA, leisure‐time PA, occupational PA, active commuting and moderate‐to‐vigorous PA. Results: Approximately 80% of participants, more women than men, engaged in 30 minutes or more of daily PA. Only 30% (95% CI 26.3, 33.0) of men and 21% (95% CI 18.3, 23.9) of women did moderate‐to‐vigorous PA for at least 20–30 minutes four or more times a week. In leisure time, most participants were moderately active; almost one‐fifth were inactive and another fifth highly active. Two‐thirds of men engaged in high‐level occupational PA, compared with one‐sixth of women. Only 30% of participants actively commuted to work. There was a tendency for a positive association between income level and leisure‐time PA. Conclusions: One‐fifth of adults in rural Australia were inactive. While there was a high prevalence of participants who engaged in daily PA, few did so at moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity to achieve health benefits. As occupational PA is difficult to change, improvements in levels of PA are more likely during leisure‐time and for some people by engaging in commuting PA.