• Ruth F Hunter, Mark A Tully, Paul Donnelly, Michael Stevenson, and Frank Kee.
• Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom; UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI), Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom. Electronic address: ruth.hunter@qub.ac.uk.
• Prev Med. 2014 Aug 1; 65: 33-9.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the correlates of knowledge of the UK physical activity (PA) guidelines.MethodA Northern Ireland-wide population survey (2010/2011) of 4653 adults provided cross-sectional data on PA, knowledge of guidelines and socio-demographic characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the associations between knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics (Model 1); and modifiable health behaviours (Model 2).ResultsResults showed that 47% of respondents were unaware of PA guidelines. Males who had a lower level of education (OR 5.91; 95% CI 1.67, 20.94), lived in more deprived areas (OR 4.80; 95% CI 1.87, 12.30), low income (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.63, 3.41) and did no PA (OR 2.74; 95% CI 1.31, 5.76) were more likely to be unaware of the guidelines. Females who were younger (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.02, 1.05) and reported poor health (OR 2.71; 95% CI 1.61, 4.58) were more likely to be unaware of the guidelines.ConclusionThere is a lack of awareness about the levels of PA needed to promote health. An understanding of the characteristics of those who are unaware of the guidelines has important implications for the design of targeted, effective health promotion.Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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