Journal List > J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs > v.24(3) > 1058310

Chae, Kim, and Lee: A Study on Gender Differences in Influencing Factors of Office Workers' Physical Activity

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine gender differences in effects of self-efficacy, exercise benefits and barriers, and demographic factors on the physical activity.

Methods

Seventy sedentary office workers, 35 male and 35 female, from a major airline company, completed a questionnaire from March 28 to April 5, 2012. Steps and body mass indices were measured using a CW-700/701 (Yamax) pedometer and Inbody 720 (Biospace), respectively. Data were analyzed using t-test, χ2-test, multiple linear regression, and simultaneous quantile regression.

Results

For male workers, exercise self-efficacy had a significant effect on physical activity, but only when respondents were at 10%(3,431 steps/day, p=.018) and 25%(4,652 steps/day, p=.044) of the physical activity distribution. For female workers, marital status was significantly related to physical activity, but only when respondents were at 10% (3,537 steps/day, p=.013) and 25%(3,862 steps/day, p=.014) of the physical activity distribution.

Conclusion

Quantile regression highlights the heterogeneous effect of physical activity determinants among office workers. Therefore intervention strategies for increasing physical activity should be tailed to genders as well as physical activity levels.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Demographic, Physical and Psychosocial Characteristics of Male and Female Office Workers
jkachn-24-273-i001

PEH=previous exercise habit; MHI=monthly household income; BMI=body mass index.

Table 2
Male Worker's Quantile Regression Results by Daily Steps
jkachn-24-273-i002

BMI=body mass index; EBB=exercise benefits/barriers; ESE=exercise self-efficacy.

*p<.05.

Table 3
Female Worker's Quantile Regression Results by Daily Steps
jkachn-24-273-i003

BMI=body mass index; EBB=exercise benefits/barriers; ESE=exercise self-efficacy.

*p<.05.

Notes

This research was supported by the faculty-student research grant funded by the Nursing Policy Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Nursing.

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