Correlations of work, leisure, and sports physical activities and health status with socioeconomic factors: a national study in Israel.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate levels of physical activities at work, leisure, and sports and to correlate them with socioeconomic and health factors. METHODS Validated questionnaire administered to a random sample of 406 adults. Items covered demographic data, health status, smoking, and duration, frequency, intensity of physical activities. Indices of physical activity at work, leisure, and sports were analysed. RESULTS Adults (both sexes) with poor self perceived health status and less than 13 years of education, regardless of their body mass index, perform no or few physical activities during their leisure time. CONCLUSIONS The correlations of physical activity with socioeconomic and health factors differ significantly for work, leisure, and sports. Physicians should differentiate physical activities by type and intensity during anamneses.