Abstract
To understand the behavioral lifestyle factors that may contribute to lower cancer incidence rates among the Amish population,
this study evaluated differences in physical activity (PA) levels between Amish and non-Amish adults living in Ohio Appalachia.
Amish (n = 134) and non-Amish (n = 154) adults completed face-to-face interviews as part of a cancer-related lifestyle study. Self-report of PA level was
measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and by a diary of steps/day (pedometer: Digi-Walker SW-200).
Total metabolic equivalent tasks (MET) minutes was calculated from the IPAQ and average number of steps/day from a pedometer
diary. Amish males walked more steps/day (mean ± standard error (SE): 11,447 ± 611 vs. 7,605 ± 643; P < 0.001) and had a higher IPAQ score (MET min/week) (mean ± SE: 8,354 ± 701 vs. 5,547 ± 690; P < 0.01) than non-Amish males. In addition, Amish farmers walked significantly more steps/day than Amish non-farmers (mean ± SE:
15,278 ± 1,297 vs. 10,742 ± 671; P < 0.01). There was a trend for Amish females to walk more steps/day (mean ± SE: 7,750 ± 477 vs. 6,547 ± 437; P = 0.06) and to have higher IPAQ scores (mean ± SE: 4,966 ± 503 vs. 3,702 ± 450; P = 0.06) compared to non-Amish females. Two measures of PA demonstrated a higher PA level among Amish males, especially farmers,
and a trend for higher PA level among Amish females. Higher levels of PA warrants further investigation as one factor potentially
contributing to lower cancer incidence rates documented among the Amish.
this study evaluated differences in physical activity (PA) levels between Amish and non-Amish adults living in Ohio Appalachia.
Amish (n = 134) and non-Amish (n = 154) adults completed face-to-face interviews as part of a cancer-related lifestyle study. Self-report of PA level was
measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and by a diary of steps/day (pedometer: Digi-Walker SW-200).
Total metabolic equivalent tasks (MET) minutes was calculated from the IPAQ and average number of steps/day from a pedometer
diary. Amish males walked more steps/day (mean ± standard error (SE): 11,447 ± 611 vs. 7,605 ± 643; P < 0.001) and had a higher IPAQ score (MET min/week) (mean ± SE: 8,354 ± 701 vs. 5,547 ± 690; P < 0.01) than non-Amish males. In addition, Amish farmers walked significantly more steps/day than Amish non-farmers (mean ± SE:
15,278 ± 1,297 vs. 10,742 ± 671; P < 0.01). There was a trend for Amish females to walk more steps/day (mean ± SE: 7,750 ± 477 vs. 6,547 ± 437; P = 0.06) and to have higher IPAQ scores (mean ± SE: 4,966 ± 503 vs. 3,702 ± 450; P = 0.06) compared to non-Amish females. Two measures of PA demonstrated a higher PA level among Amish males, especially farmers,
and a trend for higher PA level among Amish females. Higher levels of PA warrants further investigation as one factor potentially
contributing to lower cancer incidence rates documented among the Amish.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-011-9460-9
- Authors
- Mira L. Katz, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 1590 North High Street, Suite 525, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- Amy K. Ferketich, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 1590 North High Street, Suite 525, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- Benjamin Broder-Oldach, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 1590 North High Street, Suite 525, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- Amy Harley, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Paul L. Reiter, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Electra D. Paskett, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 1590 North High Street, Suite 525, Columbus, OH 43201, USA
- Clara D. Bloomfield, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145