Work and Leisure Time Physical Activity and Mortality in Men and Women from a General Population Sample

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term relationships between total physical activity and mortality from all causes and coronary heart disease (CHD) in the general population. METHODS: A prospective design was used, following participants for 29 years, beginning in 1960. The study population consisted of a randomly selected sample of white male ( n = 698) and female ( n = 763) residents of Buffalo, New York with a 79.0% participation rate and follow-up rates of 96.0% and 90.2% in males and females, respectively. At baseline, comprehensive information was obtained regarding participants' usual physical activity at work and during leisure time. RESULTS: As of December 31, 1989, three hundred and two (43.3%) men and 276 (41.0%) women died, 109 (15.6%) and 81 (10.6%) from CHD, respectively. In men, a significant interaction was found between activity and body mass index (BMI) for both outcomes. In women, a significant activity by age interaction was observed. In non-obese men (BMI < 27.02), activity was inversely associated with all-cause [relative risk (RR) = 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39–0.89] and CHD mortality (RR = 0.39; 95% CI, 0.18–0.83), independent from the effects of age and education. No such associations were found in obese men and increased risks could not be ruled out. Among women, younger participants (age < 60 years) had a significantly reduced risk of CHD death with increased activity (RR = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07–0.99). No other significant associations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity favorably influences mortality risks in non-obese men and younger women. Gender-specific factors should be considered for potential effect modification.