Associations between physical activity and sociodemographic and migration-related correlates among adults with a history of migration in Germany: results of a nationwide cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Promoting physical activity among the general population as well as among people with a history of migration is a crucial aspect of health promotion. However, we still lack a general understanding of physical activity levels and their potential correlates among adults with a history of migration living in Germany. METHODS: The GEDA Fokus study, conducted by the Robert Koch Institute from 11/2021 to 05/2022, is a nationwide cross-sectional health interview survey of adults (18-79 years) with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian or Turkish citizenship living throughout Germany (n = 6,038). The Aims of this study were (1) to assess the physical activity levels of adults with selected citizenships in Germany, specifically, adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for aerobic activity and muscle strengthening, and in addition, cycling as a means of transport and (2) to identify sociodemographic, migration-related and psychosocial correlates of their physical activity behaviour. RESULTS: Approximately 70% of the participants reported not achieving the WHO recommendations for aerobic physical activity and 75% did not achieve the recommendation for muscle strengthening. The physical activity levels among the participants were associated with a number of sociodemographic, migration-related and psychosocial factors. Multivariable regression analyses showed that men compared to women, adults with higher educational levels, higher subjective social status, better German language proficiency and a higher level of social support were more likely to achieve the WHO recommendations for physical activity. In addition, men compared to women and adults with higher educational levels were more likely to cycle as a means of transport. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the study found that physical activity levels among adults of Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian or Turkish citizenship living in Germany were low in comparison to the general population, and there were significant associations between their physical activity behaviour and a range of sociodemographic, migration-related and psychosocial factors. Further in-depth research is needed, both from a public health and health sociology perspective, to identify barriers to physical activity among people with a history of migration and to derive appropriate measures for intervention planning.