Physical activity levels in individuals with prevalent chronic diseases in the general Danish population from 2013 to 2021

Abstract

Aims:

To investigate physical activity (PA) levels across individuals with prevalent chronic diseases and examine to what degree these individuals wished to become more physically active. Furthermore, to investigate whether PA levels and wishes to become more physically active changed from 2013 to 2021.

Method:

Data from ‘The Danish Capital Region Health Survey’ (including a national sample in 2013 and 2021) among citizens (⩾16 years) in The Capital Region in 2013 (response rate = 44.3%, n = 45,498), 2017 (response rate = 52.6%, n = 55,185) and 2021 (response rate = 54.1%, n = 59.646) were used to obtain information about citizens’ PA level and wish to become more physically active. Information from national registers on hospital diagnoses and medical treatment was used to identify citizens with 10 major chronic diseases.

Results:

Individuals with chronic diseases report a lower PA level compared with the general population, particularly individuals with diabetes, depression, stroke and heart disease, with diabetes representing one of the strongest associations (e.g. in 2021 odds ratio (OR) = 1.72 (confidence interval (CI): 1.6; 1.9)). Out of 10 individuals, 7 (70%) with a chronic disease wished to become more physically active, but only individuals with heart disease and depression showed slightly higher odds for the wish to become more physically active compared with the general population (e.g. heart disease in 2017, OR = 1.18 (CI: 1.1; 1.3), and depression in 2021, OR = 1.20 (CI: 1.1; 1.3)). No significant changes in PA levels were observed during the study period, 2013–2021.

Conclusion:

The results suggests that additional strategies are needed to overcome barriers and facilitate behaviour change among individuals with chronic diseases.