Occupational versus leisure-time physical activity in reducing cardiovascular risks and mortality among ethnic Chinese adults in Taiwan

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2014 Nov;26(6):604-13. doi: 10.1177/1010539512471966. Epub 2013 Jan 22.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations of occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Physical activity data from the Baeck questionnaire was available for 1706 participants. During a follow-up period, there were 215 cases of CVD and 438 deaths. With the lowest tertile as the reference, the hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD and mortality in the highest tertiles of LTPA were 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.46-0.92) and 0.73 (95% CI = 0.58-0.92). In contrast, the HRs for CVD and mortality in the highest tertiles of OPA were 1.75 (95% CI = 1.10-2.80) and 1.53 (95% CI = 1.06-2.22). The association between OPA and the risk of CVD and mortality was significant in men but not in women. Our findings suggest that high OPA imposes harmful effects on the risk of CVD and mortality, particularly among men.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; cohort study; mortality; physical activity; primary prevention.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asian People / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / ethnology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mortality / ethnology*
  • Motor Activity*
  • Occupations*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sex Distribution
  • Taiwan / epidemiology