Term: Physical Activity - Occupational - (CCHS Survey Data)

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2011-10-24

Definition:

In the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), physical activity levels during occupational activities is a derived variable for survey participants based on their average daily energy expenditure values (kcal/kg/day) calculated from participants usual daily activities or occupational-related physical activity in the past 3 months. Participants were asked, "Thinking back over the past 3 months, which of the following best describes your usual daily activities or work habits (usually sit, stand or walk quite a lot, usually lift or carry light loads, do heavy work or carry very heavy loads)?" Individuals were assigned the following metabolic equivalent (MET) values for their usual daily activities: 1.5 for "usually sit", 2.5 METs for "stand or sit quite a lot", 5.0 METs for "usually lift or carry light loads", and 7.0 METs for "do heavy work or carry very heavy loads."

In Fransoo et al. (2011), participants were grouped into three categories based on their average daily energy expenditure: active (25 METs or more), moderate (12.8571 to less than 25 METs), or inactive (0 to less than 12.8571 METs). These indices are based on provincial average MET values divided into three roughly equal-sized groups.

See Total Physical Activity Levels - (CCHS Survey Data) glossary term for more information.

Related terms 

• Energy Expenditure - (CCHS Survey Data)
• Physical Activity
• Physical Activity - Leisure and Travel - (CCHS Survey Data)
• Physical Activity Index
• Total Physical Activity Levels - (CCHS Survey Data)

References 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, Prior H, Chateau D, McDougall C, Schultz J, McGowan K, Soodeen R, Bailly A. Adult Obesity in Manitoba: Prevalence, Associations, and Outcomes. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2011. [Report] [Summary] (View)