OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behaviors among Chinese floating population aged 18-59.

METHODSData was from the Chinese Floating Population Chronic Disease Surveillance (2012). Of the 48 704 subjects aged 18-59 years old, information on frequency and duration of leisure activity was collected by face-to-face interview. Time spent on watching TV, reading, using computers or playing games after work was also calculated.

RESULTS19.4% (95%CI:19.0%-19.7%) of the subjects took part in moderate or vigorous intensity physical activities at least 10 minutes for three days per week, with percentage higher in males than in females and increasing among younger males (P < 0.01). Data showed that it was opposite among females (P < 0.01). Physical activities increased in those with higher education for both males and females (P < 0.01) and showed significant differences on occupations. Among those who engaged in different occupations, subjects working on social service and manufactory presented the top two highest percentages on often engaging in leisure time activities and they spent 4.9 (95%CI:4.8-4.9) hours daily on average in sedentary behavior decreasing along with aging but increasing with having received higher education.

CONCLUSIONThe percentage of taking part in moderate and vigorous activities among floating population was generally low. Prevention should target on floating population, especially on females, those with lower education or at older age.