Associations between physical activity and potential influencing factors 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 determinants 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, and (2) to identify sociodemographic and migration-related factors associated with their physical activity behaviour. Results: Approximately 70% of the participants reported not achieving the World Health Organization (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 for travel. Conclusions: Overall, the study found relatively low levels of physical activity among adults of Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian or Turkish citizenship living in Germany, and significant associations between their physical activity behaviour and a number of associated 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.