Rural-urban differences in individual and environmental correlates of physical activity in Canadian adults

Considering interactions between barriers to physical activity, sociodemographic factors, and rurality can support an equity-focused approach to physical activity promotion. In this cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey Barriers to Physical Activity Rapid Response module, we compared self-reported individual and social-environmental correlates of physical activity between rural and urban residents and explored interactions with sociodemographic factors. Lack of social support was associated with lower odds of meeting physical activity guidelines for rural residents (OR = 0.71 [0.57,0.89], p = 0.003), but not for urban residents (OR = 0.99 [0.84,1.17], p =.931). Limited access to low-cost facilities was associated with lower odds of meeting physical activity guidelines (OR = 0.85 [0.73,0.98], p = 0.030) regardless of location, but was reported more commonly as a barrier by rural males (27.3 % vs 8.6 % urban) and females (30.0 % vs 9.1 % urban). Inadequate social support was associated with lower odds of meeting physical activity guidelines in females (OR = 0.79 [0.66,0.94], p =.009), but not males (OR = 0.99 [0.84,1.17], p =.931). Individual-level barriers such as time, costs, enjoyment, and confidence were associated with meeting physical activity guidelines for both rural and urban residents. Social-environmental factors appear to be the main contributors to physical activity inequities between rural and urban residents. Interventions designed to bolster social connectedness may support physical activity engagement for people living in rural communities.