Folks who have physically demanding jobs are more likely to be fit than those rely more on their minds for daily tasks, according to recent health survey of Edmonton workers. In fact, tradespeople came out with the highest marks for exercise, due primarly to the riggers of their jobs. Professionals and university graduates were among the lest physically active.
 
According to the Capital Health survey, 60% of adults in the health region are physically inactive, increasing their risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure, colon cancer and other health problems.
The results are not alarming but still indicate that people need to get more exercise for the sake of their overall health, Dr. Gerry Predy, the region's medical officer of health.
  "We already knew that people weren't as physically active as they should be, but I think (the results) are concerning because we have a high level of physical inactivity in the region," Predy said.
 "This has a major impact on health, which we are already seeing with increasing rates of people overweight, and that's translating into more illness, like diabetes. So it is a concern to us." 
 
Predy said it's up to each person "to get themselves going," but other factors can help, such as designing communities that are well-suited for walking.
  The Population Health Survey 2002, a telephone poll of more than 4,000 adults, asked respondents a series of questions about their activity levels.
  The results show that six out of 10 adults don't get at least one hour of exercise a day, the amount recommended to ensure health benefits. 
 
Groups within the survey showed significant variances in their activity levels. The highest rates of inactivity were found among seniors (73%), the unemployed (71%), professionals (67%) and university graduates (66%.)
  Sixty-three per cent of women are insufficiently active, compared with 57% of men.
  Seventy-one per cent of those who are unemployed are not active enough, compared with 55% of people with jobs. People with university educations get less exercise than those with only high school. 
 
White-collar office workers -- in administrative, professional or management occupations -- are less active than people in trades, farming, manufacturing, sales and service. WSN