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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2008 Jul 1;99(4):311–318. doi: 10.1007/BF03403762

Desk Potatoes: The Importance of Occupational Physical Activity on Health

Adam W Probert 1,, Mark S Tremblay 1, Sarah Connor Gorber 1
PMCID: PMC6976073  PMID: 18767278

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the relationship between occupational physical activity (OPA) and chronic disease after controlling for leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and other risk factors.

Methods

Using cycle 2.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey, OPA energy expenditure was derived. The association of OPA with any self-reported chronic disease, heart disease or diabetes was determined using logistic regression while controlling for confounders. The analyses of OPA controlled for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, |smoking status, time since immigration, income, education and LTPA.

Results

High OPA was associated with reduced odds of having any chronic disease (OR=0.89) independent of LTPA status. Similar significant associations were also observed for heart disease (OR=0.61) and diabetes (OR=0.72).

Conclusion

High OPA is associated with reduced odds of chronic disease independent of LTPA. Accordingly, it is important that physical activity questionnaires carefully assess OPA in addition to LTPA.

Key words: Occupation, exercise, epidemiology, chronic disease, energy expenditure

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