Physical Activity Survey Report Findings for Adults 18 Years of Age and Over

Executive Summary

WDG in motion conducted a random sample telephone survey to explore the current physical activity levels of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph residents. The survey was implemented and completed between April 16th and June 5th 2007 by trained interviewers from the University of Guelph using a standard survey instrument that was initially developed by in motion Saskatoon and adapted by Harry Cummings and Associates (HCA). Data was collected using a modified Microsoft ACCESS instrument and analyzed using SPSS. The surveyors phoned a total of 8,589 randomly selected households and of the 3,725 adult occupants (18 years of age or older) that were reached, 31% (1,159) completed the survey.

The results show that approximately 40% of residents in Guelph and Wellington and 31% in Dufferin do enough moderate or vigorous physical activity to achieve health benefits. Some researchers argue that only moderate and vigorous activities produce health benefits. However, if you include all forms of physical activity; light, moderate and vigorous, analysis shows that those receiving health benefits, ranged, among males, from 59.3% in Guelph to 65.7% in Wellington, and among females, from 58.5% in Dufferin to 64.8% in Wellington. The most popular moderate physical activities were fast walking and bicycling and most popular vigorous physical activities were jogging and hockey.

Vegetable and fruit consumption, in all three areas, was low. Only 28% of the respondents are consuming vegetables and fruits 5 or more times per day. Furthermore, only one half of residents strongly agreed that consumption of vegetables and fruit reduces the incidence of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, four-fifths of respondents strongly agreed that physical activity and stopping tobacco use can reduce the incidence of such diseases. The majority of respondents, in all three areas (greater than 80%) intend to exercise regularly in the next six months.

The current survey clearly illustrates the need to adopt community-based strategies to increase resident’s physical activity levels and consumption of vegetables and fruits recommended by Canada’s Physical Activity Guide and Canada’s Food Guide. More in-depth analysis of the current barriers is needed to fully understand and plan for effective preventive measures.

Click here for your PDF copy of the report.