- 期刊
Assessing Physical Activity in an Asian Country: Low Energy Expenditure and Exercise Frequency among Adults in Taiwan
臺灣民眾運動習慣及盛行率之分析
摘要
背景：運動對健康的好處毋庸置疑，在亞洲以實證數據及國際定義為依據之全民運動盛行率報告仍付之闕如。目的：瞭解臺灣民眾運動的盛行率及其相關因素，並轉換成以卡路里(kcal)為指標。方法：對象為2001年國民健康訪問調查共15,390位成人，根據對運動問題之答案，估計其運動強度的MET值(metabolice quivalent)，依運動頻率、時間及強度換算成kcal而加以分析。結果：半數以上的成人自認完全不運動。女性、低教育程度、低收入、較年輕族群及吸菸、嚼檳榔者，其運動習慣及運動量明顯較少。依是否達到每週750kcal之運動熱量來評估，臺灣成人有運動的盛行率不到總人口的1/5(18.9％)。達到較理想的每週1000kcal的運動量，只有總人口的1/7(13.9%)，是美國有運動的盛行率三分之一。男性各年齡層的運動盛行率以青壯年(25-44歲者)有運動的最少，老年(65歲以上)有運動的最多，呈現臺灣特有的U型曲線；女性各年齡層運動盛行率，運動最少的族群是在18-24歲及25-44歲，45歲之後才昇高，呈現S型曲線。運動在臺灣普遍不受到重視，特別是在25-44歲的族群，其盛行率只有美國的1/4。結論：目前臺灣民眾運動習慣偏低且運動量嚴重不足，達到每週消耗750kcal低竿的運動人口不到全體的1/5。本研究並提出「每週運動若能消耗≥750kcal，亦即運動時間要能每週累積≥4小時」之新目標，以方便宣導運動的新指標，這個“累積”的概念，和以往硬性規定每週至少5天以上的宣導不同，可以鼔勵非規律運動者，如集中在週末運動的所謂－“週末勇士”達到促進健康運動量的目標。
並列摘要
Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has been closely related to health improvement. The under-appreciation for energy output by nutritionists stems in part from limited data expressed in caloric equivalent. We converted the frequency, duration, and intensity of LTPA, reported from 15,390 adults in the Taiwan National Health Interview Survey 2001, into kilocalories (kcal). Half of Taiwanese adults admit to no LTPA. Women, lower education or income, younger age, smokers and chewers of betel quid; exercised significantly less than their counterparts. Less than 1/5 (18.9%) of the population in Taiwan was physically active at ≥750 kcal/week, and only 1/7 (13.9%) reached a more desirable goal of ≥1,000 kcal/week, compared with 1/3 in the U.S. The most disconcerting finding was the Taiwan unique U-shaped prevalence for males, with the 25-44 age group being the least active, ≥65 age group being the most active; and S-shaped for females, lowest at age 18-24 years and highest at the two older groups (45-64 and ≥65 years). LTPA was under-appreciated, particularly among the most productive work force (25-44-year group), who exercised with a prevalence only 1/4 of their U.S. counterparts. Expressing LTPA in kcal makes direct comparison easier. Invoking a goal of ≥750 kcal/week for Asians, attainable by exercising 4 hours/week, can facilitate nutritionists in assessing LTPA adequacy. Currently, 4/5 of adults in Taiwan failed to reach this goal. Recognizing the concept of cumulative energy expenditure, in contrast to disciplined daily work for 5 or more days, will encourage the infrequent exercisers such as ”weekend warriors” to continue with their activities.