Abstract :Educational level is one of several factors associated with health behavior and better health. The purpose of this study was to determine if one’s awareness of physical activity (PA) health benefits, independent of educational level, was associated with their participation in leisure-time PA and PA “dose” (MET• min/week). Individuals from a defined area of similar socioeconomic status (zip code) and environmental issues were surveyed (n = 2512) and placed into one of four groups based on their awareness of PA health benefits. The groups with greater awareness of PA benefits had the higher participation rates and physical activity dose, independent of education. Findings show an association between awareness of PA-related health benefits for both PA participation and dose.
These findings support the continued dissemination of PA related health benefits as a means to help improve physical activity health behavior independent of educational level.