Associations of a previous diagnosis of cancer and/or cardiovascular disease with current physical activity levels in Korean adults.

Purpose: A diagnosis of cancer (CAN) and/or cardiovascular disease (CVD) may influence physical activity levels; however, no study has examined the independent and combined associations of a CAN and CVD diagnosis with physical activity. The purpose of the present study was to examine the associations of the occurrence, order, and timing of a CAN and/or CVD diagnosis with physical activity in Korean adults.

Methods: Korean adults who reported current physical activity and a previous CAN and/or CVD diagnosis in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2014 and 2019 were included in the study. Analysis of covariance and multinomial logistic regression were used to examine associations.

Results: Overall, 29,434 (90.1%) were diagnosed with neither disease, 1,591 (4.9%) with CAN only, 1,493 (4.6%) with CVD only, and 137 (0.4%) with both diseases. Participants diagnosed with CAN only reported more leisure-time and moderate physical activity than those diagnosed with neither disease and CVD only; and more walking than those diagnosed with neither disease, CVD only, and both diseases. Participants diagnosed with CVD only reported walking less than those diagnosed with neither disease. Participants diagnosed with both diseases reported no vigorous activity and less strength exercise than neither disease and CVD only. Few associations were found for the order and timing of diagnosis.

Conclusions: Korean adults diagnosed with CAN only reported more physical activity than those diagnosed with CVD only, both diseases, and even neither disease. Understanding the differential impact of a disease diagnosis on physical activity may identify potential intervention strategies.