The correlates of physical activity among adult Métis.
OBJECTIVES
Métis, with a population of close to 390,000 people, are a culturally distinct and constitutionally recognized Aboriginal group in Canada that suffers from poorer overall health than non-Aboriginal Canadians. One important predictor of good health is physical activity. Guided by frameworks based on social and Aboriginal-specific determinants, we investigated the correlates of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and active transportation (walking) among adult Métis, with a particular focus on how culturally specific variables were associated with these two types of activity. We also examined how demographic, geographic, socioeconomic and health-related factors were associated with physical activity.


DESIGN
We used data from Statistics Canada's 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey and Métis Supplement to analyze the correlates of physical activity among Métis aged 20-64, using a series of logistic regression models.


RESULTS
Having attended a Métis cultural event in the past year was positively associated with LTPA, as was a high level of spirituality. Similarly, those who had attended a cultural event in the last year were more likely to report a high level of active transportation. Speaking an Aboriginal language and being a member of a Métis organization were not independently associated with the two types of physical activity. Self-perceived health, being male and household income were other correlates positively associated with LTPA, whereas age, body mass index and smoking were negatively associated with this type of activity. Active transportation was positively associated with self-perceived health and being female, while negatively associated with age and body mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that interventions aimed at increasing physical activity among adult Métis might be more successful if they are connected to cultural activities and spirituality. This research also suggests that demographic, socioeconomic and health-related factors are important considerations when designing initiatives to increase physical activity among adult Métis.
['Ryan|Christopher J|CJ|', 'Cooke|Martin|M|', 'Kirkpatrick|Sharon I|SI|', 'Leatherdale|Scott T|ST|', 'Wilk|Piotr|P|']
D000328:Adult D002170:Canada D003469:Culture D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006304:Health Status D006801:Humans D007198:Indians, North American D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D012959:Socioeconomic Factors D029181:Spirituality D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D016138:Walking
physical activity Métis Aboriginal-specific leisure-time physical activity active transportation Indigenous exercise social determinants of health