
Publication
Sports and Exercise Medicine Lab.
Abstract
Objectives: Physical activity (PA) is associated with the decreased risk for a variety of chronic diseases, which may result in potential reduction in medical expenditure. However, the magnitude of PA-related saving of medical expenditure is still unknown. We aimed to evaluate the association between each type of PA and medical expenditure in Korean adults using a longitudinal panel.
Methods: We analyzed data from 8,477 adults aged 20 years or older from the Korea Health Panel 2009 to 2013. Each type of activities were assessed as a time spent walking, moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and total PA (TPA) using questionnaires.
We categorized each type of PA; walking and MPA: <150 (low) or ≥150 (high) min/week; VPA: <75 (low) or ≥75 (high) min/week; MVPA and TPA: none (low), 10 to <150 (moderate), or ≥150 (high) min/week. Medical expenditures were determined using receipts of medical cost and/or household financial record books. Repeated measures mixed models were used to assess medical expenditure per capita by each type of PA levels.
Results: After adjustment for relevant covariates, the change of medical expenditure per capita was −42010 won (95% confidence interval [CI]: −65460, −18560), −46370 won (95% CI: −74130, −18610), −50450 won (95% CI: −82450, −18440), −77350 won (95% CI: −104370, −50330), and −140200 won (95% CI: −172880, −107510) for high group of walking, MPA, VPA, MVPA, and TPA compared with low group, respectively. Also, significant interaction by age (P-interaction=0.002) and baseline health condition (P-interaction<0.001) was observed in the associations between TPA and medical expenditure.
Conclusions: This prospective study indicated that time spent walking, MPA, VPA, MVPA, and TPA was significantly associated with lower medical expenditure in Korean adults.