Table 1. Characteristics of the study population (% (N)).
| Males | Females | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47.2% (224) | 52.8% (251) | 100% (475) | |
| Age, years (mean: 58; range: 48–68) | |||
| <55 | 34.8 (78) | 30.7 (77) | 32.6 (155) |
| 55–61 | 31.7 (71) | 38.6 (97) | 35.4 (168) |
| >61 | 33.5 (75) | 30.7 (77) | 32.0 (152) |
| Working, yes* | 75.9 (170) | 64.9 (163) | 70.1 (333) |
| Education | |||
| Low (<10 years of school) | 46.0 (103) | 45.8 (115) | 45.9 (218) |
| Medium (= 10 years of school) | 25.0 (56) | 32.7 (82) | 29.1 (138) |
| High (>10 years of school) | 29.0 (65) | 21.5 (54) | 25.1 (119) |
| Body mass index, kg/m2* | |||
| Normal (<25) | 19.6 (44) | 37.1 (93) | 28.8 (137) |
| Overweight (≥25, <30) | 50.9 (114) | 35.5 (89) | 42.7 (203) |
| Obese (≥30) | 29.5 (66) | 27.5 (69) | 28.4 (135) |
| Overall health (reported) | |||
| Excellent/very good | 32.1 (72) | 25.1 (63) | 28.4 (135) |
| Good | 60.3 (135) | 62.2 (156) | 61.3 (291) |
| Fair/poor | 7.6 (17) | 12.7 (32) | 10.3 (49) |
| Hypertension, yes* | 39.3 (88) | 29.1 (73) | 33.9 (161) |
| Diabetes, yes | 6.2 (14) | 7.2 (18) | 6.7 (32) |
| Asthma ever, yes | 8.0 (18) | 11.6 (29) | 9.9 (47) |
| COPD, yes | 7.1 (16) | 10.4 (26) | 8.8 (42) |
| Difficulties in walking | |||
| Not at all/slight | 95.1 (213) | 93.2 (232) | 94.1 (445) |
| Moderate/hard | 4.9 (11) | 6.8 (17) | 5.9 (28) |
| Pain or physical complaints* | |||
| Not at all/slight | 90.2 (202) | 81.3 (204) | 85.5 (406) |
| Moderate/hard | 9.8 (22) | 18.7 (47) | 14.5 (69) |
| Feeling anxious/depressed* | |||
| Not at all/slight | 96.9 (216) | 90.0 (226) | 93.2 (442) |
| Moderate/strong | 3.1 (7) | 10.0 (25) | 6.8 (32) |
*p<0.05 in Chi-square test (males vs. females).
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.