What push us to do exercise or physical activity regularly? Our 24 hours is a combination of physical activity, sleep and Sedentary behavior. Our health is determined based on the time we spend on each one of these. Let’s explore the factors that make us to spend more time on physical activity.
A recent study done by Choe et al. (2025) from the University of Mississippi found that the key predictors of physical activity are using machine learning. This study was done among 11,683 participants and published in Scientific Reports. The study also considered demographic variables like gender, age, race, educational status, marital status, income and also BMI and waist circumference. And also included lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, smoking, employment, sleep patterns, and sedentary behaviour to find their impact on an individual’s physical activity.
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The result showed that sedentary lifestyle, gender, and educational qualification act as a predictive factor of physical activity.
Previous studies
Concerning the level of sedentarism is seen in both the developed countries (Varo et al. 2003) and in developing countries (Monteiro et al. 2003). We all know that Physical activity increases positive health outcomes, whereas sedentary behavior produces negative health outcomes.
Gender and Physical Activity
Men will engage in physical activities such as sports and exercise, while women participate in walking and biking. (Abel et al, 2001) The study found that men performed higher physical activity than females while considering vigorous intensity, moderate intensity and total leisure time physical activity. Whereas no gender difference is found between other areas (household, transportation & occupational) of activity.
Contradictory findings in Socio-economic status (SES) and Physical activity
A study done by Domingues et al, (2004) says that people of low socio-economic status tend to have less amount of knowledge about the benefits of exercise. This may lead to lack of unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle. (This study is based on leisure time physical activity.)
In contrast to these findings, people of low SES tend to perform more physical activity because of their daily demands in doing household chores, go for a walk instead of using transport and physical work. Marmot (2000) studied and gave an important finding that it is not about less knowledge or lack of money. People from low SES may think differently about their health and body.
Education and Physical Activity
Education is considered a factor that influences physical activity. An additional year of education is associated with 0.26 more hours of vigorous activity per week, along with 560 extra steps and 390 more aerobic steps per day. (Scholes & Bann, 2018). A recent study found that age related decline in physical activity is steeper in low educational levels.
Conclusion
The World Health Organisation (WHO) gave guidelines for exercising, which recommend 150-300 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity and 75-150 minutes of vigorous physical activity or a combination of moderate and vigorous physical activity per week. And this study by Choe et al. (2025), found that sedentary lifestyle, gender and educational status are predictors of physical activity. Recognising these influencing factors is essential for creating effective strategies that encourage more active and healthier lifestyles across all population groups.
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