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OBJECTIVES: To explore physical activity and active recreation participation among LGBTQIA+ adults in regional and rural Australia using census data. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Residents of six local government areas responded to the Active Living Census 2019 survey. Responses from individuals aged ≥18 years who identified as LGBTQIA+ and completed at least one physical activity item were analysed. Multilevel logistic regression assessed LGBTQIA+ residents' likelihood of meeting vigorous-intensity and muscle-strengthening thresholds compared with non-LGBTQIA+ residents, while linear regression compared weekly vigorous-intensity activity minutes between groups. Chi-square tests compared active recreation types and barrier frequency by LGBTQIA+ status. RESULTS: Of the 17,398 respondents, 591 identified as LGBTQIA+ (3.4%). LGBTQIA+ residents had 27% lower odds of meeting the vigorous-intensity physical activity and muscle-strengthening threshold (adjusted odds ratio = 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.54, 0.98, p = 0.04) and engaged in 40 less minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week compared to non-LGBTQIA+ residents (β = -40.45, 95% confidence interval -76.28, -4.62, p = 0.03). A greater percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents participated in bushwalking/ hiking, compared to non-LGBTQIA+ residents (LGBTQIA+ = 20.0%; non-LGBTQIA+ = 14.5%). Modifiable physical activity barriers, including personal factors such as feelings of embarrassment (44.5% vs 33.7%), were significantly higher among LGBTQIA+ residents. CONCLUSIONS: LGBTQIA+ residents living in a regional area of Australia were less likely to be physically active and faced greater participation barriers. Addressing these barriers may inform the design of interventions.
Silva et al. (Wed,) studied this question.