Table 1. Characteristics of the study population according to physical activity*.
| Characteristics | Total sample (n = 6,242) | Physically active (n = 2,911) | Sedentary (n = 3,331) | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 54.4 ± 15.2 | 53.9 ± 15.3 | 54.7 ± 15.1 | .09 |
| Gender (female) | 3,552 (57) | 1,549 (53) | 2,003 (60) | < .001 |
| Active smoking | 1,024 (16) | 436 (15) | 588 (18) | < .01 |
| Healthy diet | 4,499 (73) | 2,276 (79) | 2,223 (67) | < .001 |
| BMI (kg/m2) | 25.4 ± 4.3 | 24.9 ± 3.9 | 26.1 ± 4.5 | < .001 |
| Systolic BP (mmHg) | 126 ± 17 | 125 ± 17 | 126 ± 17 | .01 |
| Diastolic BP (mmHg) | 76 ± 10 | 76 ± 9 | 76 ± 10 | .11 |
| Cholesterol (mg/dL) | 211 ± 35 | 209 ± 35 | 212 ± 36 | < .01 |
| Glucose (mg/dL) | 103 ± 23 | 103 ± 23 | 103 ± 24 | .64 |
| Chair stand test (s) | 7.7 ± 2.1 | 7.4 ± 1.9 | 7.9 ± 2.3 | < .001 |
* Data are given as number (percentage) for gender, smoking, and healthy diet; for all the other variables, means ± standard deviations are reported.
Regular physical activity: physical activity at least twice weekly during the past year.
Healthy diet: consumption of at least three portions of fruit and/or vegetables per day.
BMI: body mass index; BP: blood pressure