Levels of physical activity among adults 18-64 years old in 28 European countries

Background. Sedentary lifestyle is associated with more than three million deaths annually. Data from the 2013 Eurobarometer survey were analyzed to assess levels of physical activity across the European Union (EU) and to explore factors associated with adequate and high physical activity. Methods. A representative sample of n = 19,978 individuals aged 18-64 years from the 28 EU countries (sub-sample of the Eurobarometer survey, wave 80.2) was analyzed. Frequency and average duration of walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity was assessed with a self-reported questionnaire. Participants were then classified as physically inactive or adequately/highly active, based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations. The total amount of MET-minutes (MET-min) per week was also calculated for each respondent. Results. The proportion of physically inactive individuals was 28.6%, (12.4% in Sweden to 53.7% in Cyprus), while 59.1% of the respondents (37.9% in Portugal and Cyprus to 72.2% in Sweden) were classified as highly active. The mean total weekly physical activity was 2151 MET-min (95% CI: 2095-2206), of which 891 MET-min (95% CI: 858-924) were contributed by vigorous exercise, 559 MET-min (95% CI: 540-578) by moderate exercise (excluding walking) and 690 MET-min (95% CI: 673-706) by walking. Male gender, younger age, residence in rural areas and Northern Europe, higher education level and ability to pay bills were independently associated with higher physical activity. Conclusion. One fourth of the EU population did not meet the WHO's recommendations for physical activity, with wide inequalities between and within countries. Wide-reaching environmental approaches are required to promote physical activity and address these inequalities. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.