Physical activity in the context of clustering patterns of health-promoting behaviors

Purpose. To describe differences in physical activity in the context of clustering patterns of health-promoting behaviors. Design. A cross-sectional study with 1724 participants (response rate, 91.1%). Setting. Tadami Town, in a rural area of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Subjects. Part of the general population who participated in annual health checkups (age range, 30-93 years). Measures. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II was used to assess frequency of healthpromoting behaviors (physical activity, health responsibility, spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, nutrition, and stress management). Smoking status, alcohol consumption, and disease status were self-reported. Public health nurses measured the weight and height of participants. Analysis. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify clustering patterns of health-promoting behaviors other than physical activity. Differences in physical activity between identified clusters were examined by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. Four clusters were identified and labeled as "Most challenged" (20.4%), "Adherence to norms" (30.3%), "Well in mentality" (20.9%), and "Health-promoting" (28.4%). "Health-promoting" was the most physically active cluster, followed by "Adherence to norms" and "Well in mentality." Conclusions. Although the survey methodology was subject to selection, self-report, and recall biases, we have described physical activity in the context of clustering patterns of healthpromoting behaviors. Laying the groundwork for physical activity in the lifestyle is important for establishing health-promotion strategies to increase physical activity.