The Statistics Canada National Population Health Survey for 1994/95 and 1998/99 revealed that men were more likely than women to begin and sustain moderate physical activity. Young men and women (20–34) had the highest odds for beginning to be physically active of any age group.
The odds of women becoming active increased with education level, but the same was not evident among males. Men who were former smokers or had moderate or high social involvement had significantly greater chances of becoming active. The odds of women becoming active were significantly lower if they were overweight or were parents with children under age 18.
For both sexes, a moderate or high sense of control increased the odds of remaining active. Also, higher levels of education for both men and women were predictors of whether moderate levels of physical activity would be continued.
There were some differences in the factors affecting sustained activity in men and women. Women who were 35 to 64 had greater odds of succeeding than those in other age groups. Women who were not overweight also had a greater chance of maintaining sustained activity. In contrast, men had higher odds if they had either never smoked or had quit smoking. Past smoking status was not a significant factor in maintaining activity among women. Women who had good to excellent health had higher odds of maintaining activity, but health status played no significant role among men.